.png){kind=small}
Europe (Schengen Visa)
Must apply at the embassy of the country you will spend the most time in.
Some countries offer simplified applications for conference attendees.
United States (B1/B2 Visa)
The interview is mandatory for most Global South applicants.
High rejection rates—demonstrate strong ties to your home country.
United Kingdom (Standard Visitor Visa)
Proof of return is crucial—UK visas are often denied due to concerns over potential overstaying.
Canada (Visitor Visa/eTA)
A strong sponsorship letter from the conference organizer or your institution is recommended.
What to Consider when applying for a visa
Country | Visa Type | Visa Cost (USD) | Timeline/ Visa processing times | Linking Website |
United States | Business Visa (B-1) ?other | $185 | Wait time: Varies by country https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/wait-times.html | |
United Kingdom | Standard Visitor Visa | £115 ($143) | ||
Canada | Temporary Resident Visa | $100 | Wait time: Varies by country | |
Australia | Business Visitor Visa | AUD 190 ($ 119) | Wait time: 5 days (for processing 50%) and 15 days (for processing 90%) | |
Schengen Area (Germany, France, Italy, Switzerland, Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Austria, Belgium, Poland, Hungary and other) | Schengen Visa (Short-Stay) | €90 ($ 93) | Wait time: 15 days (normal processing time), 45 days if a more detailed examination of the application and/or additional documents are required https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies/schengen/visa-policy/applying-schengen-visa_en | |
Ireland | Short-Stay Business Visa | €60 ($ 62) | ||
South Africa | Business Visa | R2520 ($82) | Waiting time: Not specified | |
Russia | Business Visa | $160 | ||
China | M Visa (Business) | $140 | ||
Japan | Short-Term Business Visa | ¥3,000 ($20) | ||
India | Conference Visa | $120 |
General documents needed (invitation letters etc.)
General details on what the embassies usually look for (e.g., ability to fund the trip, assurance that they will return, qualifications that match the conference etc.)
Country | Documents required and important details | Reference Website |
USA (B-1 visa) | Required documents:
Additional documents: Additional documents may be requested to establish if you are qualified. For example, additional requested documents may include evidence of:
Evidence of your employment and/or your family ties may be sufficient to show the purpose of your trip and your intent to return to your home country. If you cannot cover all the costs for your trip, you may show evidence that another person will cover some or all costs for your trip. Note: Visa applicants must qualify based on their ties abroad/to their home country, rather than assurances from U.S. family and friends. A letter of invitation or Affidavit of Support is not needed to apply for a visitor visa. If you choose to bring a letter of invitation or Affidavit of Support to your interview, please remember it is not one of the factors used in determining whether to issue or deny the visa. | |
UK (Standard Visitor Visa) | You must have a passport or travel document that is valid for the whole of your stay in the UK. There must be a blank page in your passport for your Standard Visitor visa. You’ll need to provide the following information in your online application:
Depending on your circumstances, you might also need to provide:
You need to provide additional documents if you’re visiting the UK:as an academic You must provide certified translations of any documents that are not in English or Welsh.Proving your identity and providing your documents : As part of your online application, you need to book an appointment at a visa application centre. Allow time to attend your appointment, as the visa application centre could be in another country. At your appointment, you’ll need to:
The visa application centre may keep your passport and documents while processing your application. | |
Canada (Temporary Resident Visa) | Identity document Documents we accept:
Documents we don’t accept:
Use of a representative (IMM 5476) (if applicable): Family members or third parties who apply on behalf of the applicant need to complete this form. Family information (IMM 5645) : Each applicant 18 years or older must complete this form. Submit the completed form with your visa application Travel history: If you’ve travelled to Canada or to other countries, this can show that you’ve been able to get a visa in the past. Proof of this includes copies of previous visas in your passport. Itinerary: Documents that show how long you plan to stay and what you’ll do in Canada Bank account statement: This can help us understand if you have enough money to support yourself during your stay in Canada. Authority to release personal information to a designated individual (IMM 5475): Use this form if you want to allow Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to release your personal information to someone you choose.The person you choose will be able to get information on your case file, such as the status of your application. Biometrics : You may need to give your biometrics for this permit. If you need to give biometrics, pay the biometrics fee when you apply. The fee covers the cost of collecting fingerprints and a digital photo.Find out if you need to give your biometrics. Applying online: To apply online, you need a scanner or camera to create electronic copies of your documents, and a valid credit or debit card. If you’re applying for the first time, you must pay the biometrics fee when you submit your application (unless you’re exempt). Otherwise, you may experience delays. Follow these steps when you apply for your visa or permit:
| |
Australian (Business Visitor Visa) | Identity documents : Provide a national identity card, where required proof of change of name Documents that prove a change of name include:
Genuine visitor documents Provide as much proof as you can to show you are visiting Australia as a temporary visitor only:
Show us you are a genuine visitor and have reasons to return home by providing:
Business visitor documents: Tell us what business visitor activities you plan to do in Australia. You could provide:
Character documents: Provide any military service records or discharge papers, if applicable. We may ask you to provide a police certificate. Tell us you are getting help: To nominate someone to:
Upload your written notification or your forms to ImmiAccount. Translate: Have all non-English documents translated into English. Provide original and translated documents in your application. Translators in Australia must be accredited by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters. Translators outside Australia do not have to be accredited. But on each translation, they must include their:
These details must be in English. Note: You do not need to have any documents certified unless we ask you to. Scan or photograph: Scan or photograph all documents (English and non-English) in colour. The scans and photos must be clear and legible. If a document is more than one page, save it all as one file.
Attach: Attach a document only once, even if you are using it to show more than one thing. Learn more about attaching documents. | |
Schengen Visa ( Short-Stay) |
Additional documents may also be requested by the consulates. |