GUIDANCE ON VISAS & LETTERS OF INVITATION

Currently the UK grants visa waivers/exemptions to nationals from the European Union, European Economic Area, and a number of other countries including Switzerland, USA, Brazil, South Korea, Japan, and several Commonwealth countries - if travel is shorter than 6 months. The UK Government has a useful website to help you check if a visa is required, and what you need to do in advance of your arrival in the UK - even if you don't need a visa. We recommend all attendees check the requirements using this website: you can select your nationality, then "Work, academic visit, or business", the "6 months or less".

Regardless of whether a visa is required, it may be beneficial to carry printed copies of your travel booking confirmation, accommodation booking, and conference registration booking as evidence of your purpose for travelling to the UK. This may expedite the process at the UK border.

Nationals from some countries such as Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates may be able to apply for an Electronic Visa Waiver instead of a visa. Guidance on this can be found on the UK Government website through the link above.

Applying for a Visa

If a visa is required, it is likely that a Standard Visitor UK Visa will be the most appropriate for the purposes of attending the ProGEO conference.

You will need to apply online. The earliest you can apply is 3 months before you travel. We strongly recommend you apply as soon as the 3 month application window opens. The application website provides further information about the documents required.

If you have further questions about the process of applying for a visa, we recommend contacting the British Immigration Services, or your country's British Embassy, High Commission, or Consulate.

Letter of Invitation

If you are required to apply for a visa, you may need a Letter of Invitation, outlining your role at the meeting (e.g. attending, presenting, etc). We can only do this once you have registered for the ProGEO Symposium and your payment has been accepted. Letters of Invitation will be sent to those who request them by email as a PDF.

Those requiring a Letter of Invitation should request one using the form below, but should ensure that they have registered for the meeting first. Visa applicants may also wish to wait until the results of abstract review have been published, as the successful acceptance of an abstract can be included in the Letter of Invitation.

Letters of Guarantee show that an individual or organisation agrees to be financially or legally responsible for you during your time in the UK. The ProGEO conference organisers are unable to provide letters of guarantee.