International Travel – Visa and Invitation Information

Travel to Montréal, Québec, Canada
With AABB’s first international annual meeting, we are committed to being a resource of information for our travelers. Below you will find information to help you navigate the waters in traveling to Canada. The following Web site is a great start for details regarding preparations for your visit: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/visas.asp.
 
Official Invitation Letter
The Annual Meeting invitation letter is for health-care professionals who require a visa in order to attend the AABB Annual Meeting and TXPO 2008 in Montréal, Québec, Canada. These invitations imply no obligation, financial or otherwise, by AABB.

Click here to customize and print your invitation letter to the AABB Annual Meeting and TXPO 2008. To request an international invitation letter that is more customized to your specific needs, please email the AABB Meetings and Program Department at meeting@aabb.org or call +1.301.215.6480.

Customs
Visitors entering Canada must present a valid passport and, in certain cases, a visa. It is strongly recommended that you carry your passport with you at all times for identity purposes. As part of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), below are the new passport requirements for travelers entering or returning to the United States.
 
Air travel – As of January 23, 2007, a valid passport, an Air NEXUS card or a U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document is now required from any person entering or returning to the United States by air.

Land and sea travel – All travelers, including U.S. citizens, must present either a Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) compliant document (such as a valid passport, an Air NEXUS card or a U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document) or a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license, plus proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate.

In the summer of 2008, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security plans to implement the full requirements of the land and sea phase of the WHTI. The proposed rules will require all travelers, including U.S. citizens, entering the United States at sea or land ports of entry to have either a valid passport; a U.S. passport card; a trusted traveler card such as NEXUS, FAST, or SENTRI; a valid Merchant Mariner Document (MMD) when traveling in conjunction with official maritime business; or a valid U.S. Military identification card when traveling on official orders. The precise implementation date will be formally announced with at least 60 days notice.