37th Winter Fancy Food Show - San Francisco - January 20 - 22, 2013
Moscone Center, 747 Howard Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
Connect with NASFT &
the Fancy Food Shows
Visa Invitation Letter
What is the Visa Waiver Program?
The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) enables nationals of 36 participating countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business (visitor [B] visa purposes only) for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa.
The program was established to eliminate unnecessary barriers to travel, stimulating the tourism industry, and permitting the Department of State to focus consular resources in other areas. VWP travelers are required to have a valid authorization through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) prior to travel, are screened at the port of entry into the United States, and are enrolled in the Department of Homeland Security’s US-VISIT program. For information on the ESTA Program and to register online visit http://cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/id_visa/esta/
Current countries taking part in the Visa Waiver Program are: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungry, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marnio, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.
Visa Invitation and Travel Information
- The timeframes for visa processing are difficult to predict and can vary significantly by country. Advanced planning is essential to receive a visa in time for proposed travel to the US.
- The NASFT recommends that all visa letters are requested at least 3 months in advance of travel.
- A visa invitation letter from the NASFT does not guarantee the issuance of a visa.
Visa Letter Request Procedure for Attendees
To obtain an Attendee visa letter from the NASFT please do the following:
- Register to attend the show at the badge registration page.
- During the registration process click the box that says I require a visa invitation letter and enter your passport information and date of birth.
- Once you finish registering then you will receive an email confirmation. Please click on the link in the confirmation that says: View or Change your Registration. You will then be able to print out your visa letter.
Visa Letter Request Procedure for Exhibiting Companies
To obtain an Exhibitor visa letter from the NASFT please do the following:
1. In order to receive an Exhibitor visa invitation letter you must have booked and paid for space in the upcoming show.
2. For every 10 x 10 booth you will be able to request 5 visa letters. If you have over 6 or more people who need letters please download the group registration form below and email it to membership@nasft.org.
> Download Group Registration Form
3. For visa requests of fewer than 5 people, please fill out the following form to request a visa letter. The deadline is December 15, 2011.
4. Please make sure to schedule your appointment with your Embassy as soon as you receive your visa letter.
VISA Interview Tips
- Interviews are brief so be prepared. Showing proof of identity, travel plans and intention to return to your country of residence is helpful during the interview.
- An applicant must demonstrate to the US Consulate/Embassy that they have strong social and economic ties to their country of residence and are not intending to immigrate. Examples of strong ties are employment, property ownership and family relationships.
- If you have attended or exhibited at previous Fancy Food Shows provide that documentation during the interview.
- If you have been to the United States before please bring documentation of the trip to the interview.
- Bring along all materials from the NASFT including your Visa Letter.
