Traveling from outside of the United States?
The 2014 Gay Games wants to provide our participants with the needed information to enter into the United States for the Games. Please begin this process as soon as possible. The sooner you apply, the less likely chance of problems occurring.
Do I need a Visa to enter into the United States?
Citizens and permanent residents of many countries can travel into the United States without a Visa through the Visa Wavier Program (VWP). The VWP allows citizens and permanent residents of participating countries to visit the United States without a visa for 90 days or less, when they meet all requirements. Eligible VWP travelers must have a valid Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) approval prior to travel- this is a separate process.
Does my county participate in the Visa Wavier Program?
There are 37 countries that participate in the Visa Wavier Program. As a citizen or permanent resident of the following countries you are eligible to travel to the United States under the VWP:
|
Andorra
|
Iceland
|
Norway
|
|
Australia
|
Ireland
|
Portugal
|
|
Austria
|
Italy
|
San Marino
|
|
Belgium
|
Japan
|
Singapore
|
|
Brunei
|
Republic of Korea
|
Slovakia
|
|
Czech Republic
|
Latvia
|
Slovenia
|
|
Denmark
|
Liechtenstein
|
Spain
|
|
Estonia
|
Lithuania
|
Sweden
|
|
Finland
|
Luxembourg
|
Switzerland
|
|
France
|
Malta
|
Taiwan
|
|
Germany
|
Monaco
|
United Kingdom
|
|
Greece
|
The Netherlands
|
|
|
Hungary
|
New Zealand
|
|
How can the 2014 Gay Games help?
If your country of citizenship does not participate in the Visa Waiver Program, the 2104 Gay Games will issue international participants a letter of invitation to the Games. The letter will provide an overview of the event, including location and duration. You may supplement your Visa application with the letter of invitation. Please follow this link and submit the form to ABrenneman@gg9cle.com so that the 2014 Gay Games may issue the invitation letter to you.
I am not able to participate in the Visa Wavier Program, what do I do next?
If you are not eligible to travel to the United States through the VWP, please apply for a B-2 Visa through a US embassy or consulate. There are several steps to complete, how you complete them may vary depending on the embassy.
- Complete the online application and pay the non-refundable visa application fee.
- You will be required to upload your photo while completing your application.
- Schedule an interview with your US embassy or consulate.
- Wait times for interview vary due to a variety of factors, so please apply for your visa as early as possible.
- Gather and prepare for your interview.
- You will be informed of what information you will need to bring to your interview.
- Attend your visa interview.
- After your visa interview, your application may require further administrative processing. The embassy or consulate will inform you if this is necessary.
- This process does not guarantee you a visa. Please do not make final travel plans until you receive your visa.
My visa application was not approved, what should I do?
Please do not attempt to travel to the United States without a Visa if you are required to have one. If your request for a Visa was denied, please follow the instruction that were provided through your Visa denial. You can also contact the Visa Service, Public Inquires Division at +1.202.485.7600 for further explanation and options available to you.
For additional assistance contact Devin Stowers, Information Coordinator at +1.216.479.6345 or dstowers@gg9cle.com