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Travel

Visa information

Unless you are a citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States, an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) or a visitor visa is required to enter the country.

Applications are the responsibility of individual travellers and participants. Start with the U.S. Department of State.

Apply at least 90 days before your departure date. Visa processing times are difficult to predict and vary significantly by country. Make this a priority.

Visa invitation letter

To request a visa invitation letter you need to:

  • Register for Sun Shading Expo and pay in full. We cannot issue a letter of invitation without full payment — to prevent fraudulent requests, no exceptions are made.
  • Complete the visa invitation collection form
  • Provide a copy of your attendee registration or signed exhibit contract
  • Provide a copy of the first page of your passport
  • Enter your information exactly as it appears on your passport

You will receive email confirmation when your submission is received. Once processed and approved, we will send the letter to you as a PDF. If you need a hard copy, provide a FedEx account number to cover shipping. Please allow one week to receive the letter.

Please note:

  • Complete one request for each person requiring a letter
  • Obtaining a letter does not guarantee visa approval. The letter is supplementary information explaining an applicant’s intended purpose of travel — U.S. Embassy officers consider the totality of an applicant’s personal situation when determining eligibility

For questions about an invitation letter, contact Don Macumber: don.macumber@messe-stuttgart.us.

Are you prepared for travel to the United States?

The U.S. government requires residents of many countries to obtain a temporary visa before entering. A U.S. visa allows a foreign citizen to travel to a port of entry and request admission from a U.S. Immigration Inspector — it does not guarantee entry.

Helpful tips

  • Review the U.S. Department of State website
  • Apply as early as possible, and at least 90 days before departure
  • Obtain a letter of invitation, as above
  • Check your passport expiry date — it should be valid for at least six more months
  • If you already hold a visa, check it will not expire before your trip is complete

If you have questions about visas or other travel restrictions, check with your local U.S. consulate or visit the U.S. Embassy and Consulate website.

Once your travel is approved, book through the official hotel portal.