Visa Requirements & Letter of Invitation

General Information

Travelling to France is easy. The documents you need vary depending on where you are from.

If you are a citizen of the European Union, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein: all you need is your Identification Card, or a valid passport. Minors travelling with their ID card must have a document that shows parental authorization.

Citizens of other countries should check the website of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs if a passport is sufficient or a visa needs to be requested in addition.

In case that a visa is required for travelling to France, you must request a visa at the French Consulate of your country of residence. You will also need a valid passport.

The French authorities may ask documents showing where you will stay, confirmation of an organized tour, return air tickets, tourist circuit, or a personal invitation letter. You may also be asked to show proof of having enough financial resources to support yourself during your stay in France. Since conditions may vary, we recommend to contact your local French Consulate or Embassy for more information on these requirements. More details can be found on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Letter of Invitation

Participants that require an official invitation letter in order to obtain a visa, to raise travel funds or for administrative purposes should apply for this invitation by at least 8 weeks prior to the meeting at the very latest. It should be understood, however, that such an invitation is not a commitment on the part of the organizers to provide financial support. The deadline for requesting a Letter of Invitation is 19 August 2011.

It should be understood that the organizers can only issue an invitation which includes the period of the conference plus the Saturdays and Sundays directly before and after the conference, respectively.

The letter of invitation will be sent by email or by telefax, as well as an original copy by airmail.