SORMA West 2025 welcomes international participants; this page gives some practical information. Please familiarize yourself with travel requirements well in advance — and if you need a visa, apply early!
Do you need a visa?
Attendees from many countries will be eligible for the Visa Waiver Program.
To take advantage of VWP, you need to register with the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) before your trip.
Consumer Protection Notice: Third parties who charge money for a “service” related to ESTA are not actually capable of expediting approval. The link shown above takes you to the official US Government site, which explains the process and provides everything you need to enroll online in ESTA for a small fee.
Canada, Bermuda, and Mexico
The US has special arrangements with adjoining nations and Bermuda.
- Most Canadian and Bermudan citizens will not need a visa; they may enter the US using their passport, along with their Conference Registration Notice. Please request, at the port of entry, status as a Visitor for Business (B-1).
- Mexican citizens would usually apply for a Border Crossing Card or “laser visa,” and bring their passport and Conference Registration Notice. Please request, at the port of entry, status as a Visitor for Business (B-1).
In general you will need an e-passport containing a chip in order to take advantage of these no-visa arrangements. Here is the US Department of Homeland Security’s illustrated guide to the requirements.
How do you get a visa?
Citizens of countries not participating in the Visa Waiver Program would request a Business (B-1) visa at the nearest U.S. Consulate. Call them to set up an appointment. When you go to the Consulate, take a copy of your Conference Registration Notice, along with your valid passport. We urge you to apply as soon as you can, because the process can take time.
Usually you would apply for a B-1 visa as a nonsponsored attendee of an international scientific workshop. The B-2 visa is for tourism and might be appropriate for companions who are not attending the conference.
The U.S. Department of State is the official source for information on visas and other adminstrative aspects of visiting the US. Be sure to apply early!
Visa Letters and Other Helpful Documentation
When you register, there will be a box you can check if you need an official letter from us as part of your visa application. The system will e-mail official visa letters upon paid registration. These letters do not imply financial support or invitation by SORMA.
An e-mail indicating that your talk or poster has been accepted for the program can also be helpful to your visa application. Only submitting and presenting authors get an acceptance e-mail.
Copies of your round-trip itinerary, a printout of registration for SORMA, evidence of your stature as a scholar (such as your curriculum vitae, including publications list), and evidence of ties to your home country are also known to be helpful in obtaining a visa. Apply as soon as you can.
Local Contact
If you need to specify a “local contact” or “host” for your visa or institutional paperwork, we suggest
Tom Gallant
Administrative coordinator, SORMA West 2020
LBNL, 1 Cyclotron Road, MS 50R4037D
Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
Tel. 1.510.486.7022
Further helpful advice may be found on the National Academies website.