TRANSPORTATION & VISA INFORMATION
SCROLL DOWN FOR VISA INFORMATION
UNITED AIRLINES
ITS travel agency will serve as the official travel coordinator for Experimental Biology 2006 in San Francisco ITS will provide custom itineraries with the lowest applicable air fares and best journey time. Fly on United Airlines the official airline and save on special discounts exclusive to attendees and guests. United offers various levels of discounts, save 7% when you book and ticket 30 days or more in advance. Discounts apply on United, United Express, Ted, United code-share flights operated by US Airways and Air Canada . Applicable restrictions apply.
*Special United Airlines Area fares; Set air fare prices based upon geographical locations. Two- day (2) minimum stay required and Seven (7) day advance purchase. Applicable restrictions must be met.
*Full mileage credit for frequent flyer club members.
To receive the exclusive discounts call ITS toll-free, 1-800-621-1083 (847-940-1176, outside the U.S. and Canada ); Email: airtravel@itsmeetings.com; 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CST, Monday through Friday
*There will be a $20.00 service fee per airline ticket issued.
You may also call United Airlines directly at 800-521-4041 and reference #539HF . Book early to take advantage of promotional fares that give you the greatest discount!
AIRPORTS IN SAN FRANCISCO
The San Francisco area is supported by two International Airports. The San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is located approximately 13 miles south of downtown San Francisco . For airport information please visit www.flysfo.com or call 1-800-435-9736 . The Oakland International Airport is a nearby alternative airport with low cost airline options. For further information, please visit http://www.fly oakland.com/index2.cfm . Both airports offer convenient ground transportation including the BART. You can visit the San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau Website at http://onlysf.sfvisitor.org/transportation/ for further transportation options. At the San Francisco International Airport (SFO), ground transportation information is available from the Airport Information and Travelers Aid Booths. Airport Information Booths are located on the Arrivals/Baggage claim Level of each terminal. Computerized information kiosks are available at the booths 24 hours a day. These kiosks provide both ground transportation & general airport information. Travelers Aid Booths are located on the departures/ticketing level of all terminals and are staffed daily from 8:00AM- 8:00PM. Travelers Aid provides general assistance and carries a number of printed public transportation schedules.
GROUND TRANSPORTATION
CAR
RENTAL-Hertz
has been appointed the official car rental company for the Experimental
Biology 2006 meeting.
For reservations, call Hertz at 800-654-2240 in the U.S. ; 800-263-0600
in Canada ; 416-620-9620 in Toronto or outside these
areas call 405-749-4434, and refer to CV#010L0051
. Meeting rates are guaranteed from one week prior through
one week after the meeting dates and are subject to availability. Advance
reservations are recommended; blackout dates may apply. Government
surcharges, taxes, tax reimbursement, and other fees are extra. Minimum
rental age 25 (exceptions apply). Standard rental conditions and qualifications
apply.
TAXI-Available 24-hours. Approximate taxi fare from airport is $35 one-way. Taxis are availabel outside the baggage claim level.
SFO AIRPORT SHUTTLE-Available 24 hours. Fares range from $13-$15 one-way. Visit www.sfoairporter.com or call 650-246-8942.
SUPER SHUTTLE-Available 24 hours. Fares cost $13.50 per person. Advance reservations accepted. For further details you can either visit http://www.supershuttle.com/htm/cities/sfo.htm or call toll free 1-877-877-8819 (US & Canada), 415-558-8500.
CITY EXPRESS-Shuttles to and from Oakland airport. One-way fare is $28 and $10 for each additional passenger between 5:00AM-10:00 PM, 7 days a week. An additional surcharge is applied after 10:00 PM and before 5:00 AM. Advance reservations are required by calling 510-638-8830.
TIPS-Airport and Hotel Baggage Handlers Average tip for porters is $1 per bag, one-way. Taxi Drivers tip is 15-18% of total fare.
VISA INFORMATION FOR FOREIGN SCIENTISTS
TRAVELING TO THE UNITED STATES
Please read all info rmation below for important info rmation and important web links
As part of security procedures, many applications for visas are sent to the State Department for a security review. The Website for the State Department is http://travel.state.gov/visa . We advise scientists traveling to the United States to apply for a visa as early as possible (at least three months before visa is needed ).
Please check with your local U.S. consulate or embassy to find out the earliest that you may apply for a visa by clicking on the following URL: http://travel.state.gov/visa/questions_embassy.html . Because of the number of visas being processed and the need to be thorough with the reviews, this can take as long 8 weeks, especially for those countries that are on the State Sponsors of Terrorism List. Attendees from these countries should start the application process at least 6 months in advance of the meeting.
Some foreign participants may not need visas if they are citizens of any of the countries on the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). For the list of countries, please visit http://travel.state.gov/visa/tempvisitors_novisa_waiver.html . ALL citizens of the Visa Waiver Program are required to have Machine-Readable Passports (MRP) in order to travel to the United States without a visa. Without a MRP, you will be required to apply for a visa. For further information on passport requirements, visit the Department of Homeland Security Website. All foreign visitors (including Visa Waiver Program travelers) will be fingerprinted and photographed upon arrival in the United States. For additional information, visit the US-Visit Program Website.
To assist you with the Visa application process:
- Ask for a letter of invitation to attend at least four (4) months prior to the meeting (see below for further information).
- Apply for visa at least three (3) months in advance. For countries that are on the State Sponsors of Terrorism List, the State Department suggests applying for a visa six (6) to eight (8) months in advance.
- Provide your entire trip itinerary, including travel to any countries other than the United States , at the time of visa application.
- If completion of travel plans is contingent upon early approval of the visa application, specify this at the time of the application.
- Provide proof of scientific status.
- Provide meeting brochure and letter of invitation.
- Provide evidence that you are intending to return to your country of residence. This includes such things as:
- family ties in current country of residence
- property ownership
- bank account
- an employment contract or statement from employer showing that position will continue after the dates of the meeting
- Requirements vary by passport-issuing country and citizenship (not merely residency).
VISA Problems: For applications waiting more than 30 days after their interview to receive notification, you can complete an on-line questionnaire for assistance. The questionnaire can be found at http://www7.nationalacademies.org/visas/Visa_Questionnaire.html
Requests for Letters of Invitation: For security purposes, letters of invitation can only be sent to individuals that have registered for the meeting. Please contact the EB Management Office to request a letter of invitation: leftwich@faseb.org.
For questions regarding this policy, feel free to contact your sponsoring society.
American Association of Anatomists (AAA)
Phone: 301-634-7910; Fax: 301-634-7965
Email: exec@anatomy.org
American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB)
Phone: 301-634-7145; Fax: 301-634-7126
Email: meetings@asbmb.org
American Society for Nutritional (ASN)
Phone: 301-634-7051; Fax: 301-634-1892
Email: meyersA@asns.org
American Society for Investigative Pathology (ASIP)
Phone: 301-634-7950; Fax: 301-634-7990
Email: meetings@asip.org
American Society for Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics (ASPET)
Phone: 301-634-7066; Fax: 301-634-7061
American Physiological Society (APS)
Phone: 301-634-7967; Fax: 301-634-7241
Email: meetings@the-aps.org
