International Travel
The Cardiovascular Research Foundation® welcomes physicians and other health care professionals from around the globe.
Please familiarize yourself with U.S. entry requirements that apply to you.
Letter of Invitation
CRF® will gladly send you a letter of invitation to attend Fellows 2025. To request an invitation letter, please contact us at [email protected]. The official Fellows 2025 letter of invitation can be used to facilitate processing of visas or other documents you need to attend the conference.
Please note, a letter of invitation:
- Does not signify CRF® financial support or commitment.
- Does not guarantee acceptance of your application to attend Fellows 2025.
- Does not guarantee that you will secure an entry visa.
Supplementary Information for Your Visa Application
You may want to consider including the following with your application for a U.S. entry visa:
- A letter from CRF® inviting you to speak or accepting your abstract, if applicable.
- A letter from your institution, training director, or employer stating you have been given time to attend Fellows 2025 and are expected back at your place of employment on a specific date. The name on the letter must exactly match the name on your passport.
- Documentation of your Fellows 2025 acceptance or registration, such as registration ID, hotel confirmation, and flight information. The name on your reservations must exactly match the name on your passport.
CRF® cannot intervene with the U.S. Embassy or U.S. State Department on your behalf.
Check Your Passport Before Booking Travel
If your passport is expired or due to expire soon, please be sure to renew it before your trip. Visitors to the United States are typically required to be in possession of a passport that is valid for six months beyond the period of their intended stay.
Visa Information
If you need an entry visa, please visit your nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate to obtain the necessary documents. Plan in advance to allow enough time for the visa to be processed. Visit the U.S. Department of State website for information on the visa application process.
Applications for visas have taken as long as 90 days to process. You must contact your local U.S. Embassy or Consulate as soon as possible about the application process for entry into the United States if you are not a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.
The following information is for initial reference only. Please visit the U.S. Department of State website and other official U.S. government websites (listed below) for the most current and accurate information for planning your travel to the United States.
Visa Waiver Program (VWP)
Most citizens or nationals of the countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) are permitted to travel to the United States for business or tourism for stays of up to 90 days without a visa. Please check the relevant requirements with the U.S. State Department or the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
To travel without a visa on the VWP, you must have authorization through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) strongly recommends that you check your ESTA status prior to making any travel reservations or traveling to the United States.
Exceptions To Visa Waiver Program (VWP)
Some citizens of VWP countries must apply for a visa to enter the United States using the regular appointment process at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. This requirement falls under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act of 2015 and pertains to:
- Nationals of VWP countries who have traveled to or been present in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, or Yemen on or after March 1, 2011.
- Nationals of VWP countries who are also nationals of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Iran, Iraq, Sudan, or Syria.
Learn more about these exceptions to the VWP and find out how to apply for a U.S. visa.