Links within this page: Invitation Letters | Electronic Travel Authorizations | European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) Requirement
In order to travel to England, there are certain entry requirements you must meet depending on the country you live in.
You can check if you need a visa and if you meet basic eligibility requirements HERE.
If you require a visa, you can apply for a visa up to 3 months before the day you are due to travel to the UK. Once you’ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks if you’re outside the UK, or 8 weeks if you’re inside the UK. If deemed eligible, you may also pay an additional fee for a faster decision using ‘priority service’.
Please refer to the UK Visas and Immigrations Department webpages for additional links and information.
You can also visit the IATA TravelCentre website, input information about your trip, and receive details about what immigration and health requirements must be met.
Invitation Letters
If you require an invitation letter to support your visa application, please complete our Visa Letter Request Form. This must be completed after you register for the conference, and we recommend filling it out no later than Sunday, April 27th, 2025. Visa letters will still be processed after this date but may not be approved in time.
Please allow up to 3 business days for your letter request to be fulfilled and sent to your email address. ISCB Staff do not process any letter requests on weekends or days that are deemed federal holidays in the United States of America.
Electronic Travel Authorizations (ETA)
Non-Europeans can apply in advance for an ETA, and will need one to enter the UK beginning January 8, 2025. An ETA is not a visa; it is a digital permission to travel to the UK. Applying for an ETA costs £10.
For more details on the ETA application steps, what you can/cannot do with an ETA, and materials needed to apply, please read this page.
If you are unsure whether you need an ETA, you can check the "Who does not need an ETA" section on the page linked above.
European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) Requirement
The ETIAS travel authorization is a new program launching in 2025.
It is a requirement for entry for visa-exempt nationals traveling to any of a list of 30 European countries. The travel authorization is linked to your passport, and with it you’re able to enter the territory of the listed European countries as often as you want for short-term stays in any 180-day period. Note, however, that the ETIAS authorization does not guarantee entry to these countries. You will still be required to show your passport and other documentation in order to verify that you meet each country’s entry requirements.
For detailed information about the ETIAS travel authorization, click HERE.
