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Attending From Overseas

The QFD Institute Symposia and training programs have welcomed attendees from overseas for many years and we continue to do so for all of our events. In this page, we have summarized the basic travel information to make your preparation easy.

Due to frequent changes in immigration laws, however, we recommend you verify the latest passport and visa information with your local U.S. embassy or consulate. To contact a U.S. embassy or consulate in your country, please see http://usembassy.state.gov/

Additionally, to aid our international attendees, the QFD Institute may issue an official letter of invitation, upon request, to pre-registered attendees. Please indicate this need at the time of your registration.

 

 

Travel Documents you will need ..

Passport

A valid passport is required to enter the U.S., regardless of your nationality and method of travel. The expiration date on your passport should be at least 6 months later from the last day of the QFD event which you plan to attend.

If you need to apply for a new passport or renew one, we recommend you begin the application process as soon as possible, so you will not have to miss the QFDI event you wish to attend.

If you are a citizen of a Visa Waiver Program Country

If your passport was issued by one of 34 countries listed listed here (Visa Waiver Countries), you do not need a visa to enter the USA for tourism or business for stays of 90 days or less.

However, in order to attend QFDI events without a visa:

  1. You must register online and receive the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) at least 72 hours before you begin travel to the USA. This is a new rule as of January 2009; the ESTA replaces the paper forms that used to be filled out in flight or at the airport.

  2. You must present an e-Passport or Machine-readable Passport at the U.S. port of entry.

  1. You must have round-trip air tickets and arrive aboard an air carrier signatory to Visa Waiver country program (example: EU, US, Japanese airlines).

For the latest information concerning the Visa Waiver Program, please visit: http://www.dhs.gov/xtrvlsec/programs/content_multi_image_0021.shtm  

Visa Waiver Countries

(as of Jan. 09)

Andorra

Australia

Austria

Belgium

Brunei

Czech Republic

Denmark

Estonia

Finland

France

Germany

Hungary

Iceland

Ireland

Italy

Japan

Republic of Korea

Latvia

Liechtenstein

Lithuania

Luxembourg

Monaco

The Netherlands

New Zealand

Norway

Portugal

San Marino

Singapore

Slovakia

Slovenia

Spain

Sweden

Switzerland

United Kingdom

 

If you are a citizen of Canada, Mexico, and Bermuda

Citizens of the Canada, Mexico, and Bermuda are now required to present a valid passport to enter the United States when arriving by air from any part of the Western Hemisphere. For the latest information about specific requirements that apply to you, please contact your local U.S. embassies and consulates: http://usembassy.state.gov/

If you are a citizen of All Other Countries

Please consult your local U.S. embassy or consulate early to find out what type of a visa and travel documents you will need in order to enter the U.S. to attend a QFD program.

We recommend you begin the application process as soon as possible, so you will not have to miss the QFDI event you wish to attend.

For those who are applying for a visa or having an embassy interview, QFD Institute may issue an official letter of invitation, upon request, when your registration is complete. Please indicate this need at the time of registration. To contact a U.S. embassy or consulate in your country, please see http://usembassy.state.gov/

 

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Travel Tips

 

Electricity

The U.S. uses 110-120 volts AC, 60 cycles.

If your laptop runs on 220-240 volts, you will need a 110-volt Transformer and a Plug Adapter which fits into two flat parallel pins (photo below).

The shape of US electrical outletWe recommend you bring them with you because it is sometimes difficult to find them in the United States.

If your laptop runs on 100 volts, it will probably work fine in the U.S. without a voltage converter, but you may still need a plug adapter.

Internet

The symposium and training venues which QFD Institute selects always have access to high-speed Internet. Some of them offer free access.

Mobile Phone

We suggest you check with your mobile phone company whether their service is available in the U.S. cities you plan to visit.

Money & ATM

It is best to exchange foreign money for U.S. dollars before arriving in the U.S., although most businesses in U.S. cities accept credit cards such as Visa, MasterCard, American Express. (Exceptions may be small shops and taxis.) Most U.S. banks are open 9 am - 4 pm on weekdays.

ATMs (automated teller machines) are easy to find in most cities and they are typically available for 24 hours. Two most popular networks are Cirrus (www.mastercard.com) and PLUS (www.visa.com). If you are not sure, check with your card bank for ATM locations at your destinations.

Drinking Water

Tap water is generally safe to drink in the U.S. The venue hotels which QFD Institute selects for our symposium and training always have potable tap water. Bottled water is readily available in hotels and shops.

Safety

We make every effort to select hotel venues in a neighbor-hood that is usually safe for our attendees to walk and enjoy. It is advised, however, you use common sense and precautions as you would in any city. When venturing out in the evening, consult the hotel front desk about safe areas and avoid wandering alone late in the evening.

Weather

Weather in the US varies greatly, depending on the region. Please refer to the Venue and Travel information of the program you are attending and pack clothing accordingly.

 

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