VISA / INVITATION LETTER

 

  
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS / VISAS
Upon request, the Organization Secretariat will be pleased to send a personal invitation to all participants, to facilitate visa requests and other formalities. This letter should NOT be considered as an offer of any kind of financial support on behalf of the organizers.

An official invitation letter can be requested by writing to the President of the Congress Prof. David Goldsmith (e-mail: ) at least three months in advance.

This letter however does NOT involve any commitments by the Congress Organizers to cover fees, accommodation, travel expenses or other costs connected to the participation in the Congress. ERA-EDTA will not be held responsible for visa that are not granted. International registrants who require a letter of invitation, will first need to complete the online registration for the 52nd ERA-EDTA Congress.
Letters of invitation for spouse/guest registrants will only be provided if the accompanying individual has completed his or her meeting registration. Citizens of the EU as well as from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa and the USA do not need a visa to enter the United Kingdom.
However, visa regulations are subject to change, it is therefore recommended to check at www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration or with your local British embassy before leaving home. As the application process for visas may be time consuming, it is recommended to apply as early as possible for a visa.

 

INTRODUCTION
Citizens of the EU as well as from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa and the USA do not need a visa to enter the United Kingdom. However, visa regulations are subject to change, it is therefore recommended to check at www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/ visas-immigration or with your local British embassy before leaving home. As the application process for visas may be time consuming, it is recommended to apply as early as possible for a visa. The Organising Secretariat may help you with invitation letter, please consult the corresponding section above.

 

CONDITIONS OF VISA
You can apply for a General Visitor visa if:
• you want to visit the UK for leisure, e.g. as a tourist on holiday
• you are from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland
• you are visiting friends or family who aren’t permanent residents in the UK
• 18 or over
• travelling to the UK for leisure (not work or study)
• able to support yourself for the duration of your trip
• not in transit to another country, except for Ireland, the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands
• able to pay for your return or onward journe

 

APPLICATION
You can apply for a visa up to 3 months before your date of travel to the UK. You should get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks. Check the guide processing times to find out how long getting a visa might take in the country you are applying from. The visa application has to be presented to the Embassy of the country of main destination (determined by the purpose of the journey and the length of stay). If your main destination cannot be ascertained, the Schengen state through which you first enter the territory of these countries is responsible for granting the visa. Different documents are required depending on the purpose of your journey. Additional documents or information may be required. Furthermore, you must possess a valid Residence Permit for the UK. If you are residing in Scotland or some parts of northern England you may have to apply at our Consulate-General in Edinburgh. Consult their website or contact them directly to check which catchment area you fall in.

 

WHAT DOCUMENTS WILL BE REQUIRED?
When you apply you will need to provide:
• a current passport or other valid travel identification
• 2 passport size colour photographs
• evidence that you can support yourself during your trip, eg bank statements or payslips for the last 6 months
• details of where you intend to stay and your travel plans - you shouldn’t pay for accommodation or travel until you get your visa

WHO REQUIRES A VISA?
The Nationals or citizens of the following countries or territorial entities need a visa for the United Kingdom: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia Herzegovina, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, People’s Republic of China, Colombia, Comoros, Cuba, Cyprus (northern part), Democratic, Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Korea (North), Kosovo*, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Macau (travel permit only), Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Occupied Palestinian Territories, Oman, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Russia, Rwanda, Sao Tome e Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Surinam, Swaziland, Syria, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Vatican City (Holy See Service & Emergency passport holders only), Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
* This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/99 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.