Visa and travel information
- Direct visa assistance, including making calls and appointments, is not offered by ARVO. The U.S. Department of State has developed a Visa Wizard to guide you in selecting the correct visa application.
- If you are eligible for the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), you may travel to the United States for a period of 90 days or less with an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). To learn more about the VWP and obtaining an ESTA, visit the U.S. Department of State’s website.
Things to consider
- In order to obtain a Visa, you may need to participate in a U.S. Consulate Interview. Determine if you need an interview as soon as possible, as the wait time may be several weeks and may require you to travel to a U.S. Consulate.
- For immediate and continuous travel through the United States to another country, a Transit Visa may need to be obtained. If you have a connecting flight, ensure you have the proper documentation for the country or countries you are connecting through.
- Like many countries, the United States requires travelers to have a passport that is valid for at least 6 months after their return flight date.
REAL ID enforcement
- REAL ID enforcement begins on May 7, during the ARVO 2025 Annual Meeting. For those attendees who are United States residents, this will affect your ID requirements for flying. Federal agencies, including DHS and TSA, will only accept state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards that are REAL ID compliant as identification for purposes of accessing federal facilities - including TSA airport security checkpoints. Enhanced Driver’s Licenses (EDL) issued by Washington, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, and Vermont are considered acceptable alternatives to REAL ID compliant cards and will also be accepted for official REAL ID purposes. All states, the District of Columbia, and the 5 territories are REAL ID compliant and issuing REAL ID compliant driver’s licenses and IDs. You may also use a passport as an alternative form of ID to get through TSA.
- To get a REAL ID, visit your state's driver's licensing agency website to find out what documentation is required to obtain a REAL ID. Visit the DHS REAL ID page for more information or any questions.