VISA REQUIREMENTS

USA (San Diego, CA) – Visitor (B-1/B-2) Visa

Attendees from Latin America will generally need a nonimmigrant B-1 Business Visitor visa (often issued as a combined B-1/B-2) to attend conferences in the U.S. (“Attend … business convention or conference” is explicitly listed under B‑1 activities [1]). Citizens of Chile, however, may travel visa-free under the U.S. Visa Waiver Program (with ESTA authorization) [2].

• Required Documents: Valid passport (≥6 months beyond stay), DS‑160 confirmation page, visa fee receipt, and digital photo meeting U.S. specs [3]. (You will upload a photo with DS-160 or bring a printed photo if upload fails [4].) Applicants should also be prepared to show proof of trip purpose (conference invitation letter) and ties to their home country (job, family, assets, etc.) [5].

• Processing Time: Interview wait times vary by consulate and season [6]. In many locations (e.g. Mexico City, Bogotá) appointment waits can stretch weeks–months, so apply several months in advance. After an interview, visa approval and stamping typically take on the order of a few days to 1–2 weeks. (In all cases ages 14–79 require an in-person interview [7].)

• Country Notes:

  • Mexican, Colombian, Venezuelan, Ecuadorian, Peruvian, Brazilian, Argentine nationals: Must obtain a B-1/B-2 visa at the U.S. embassy/consulate in their country. Follow standard procedure (online DS-160, pay fee, schedule interview) and bring the documents above. (These processing times apply to all these countries.)

  • Chile: No visa required. Chilean citizens travel under the Visa Waiver Program for stays ≤90 days [2] (must apply for ESTA online).

Application Process

1. Visit the visa appointment service page ( https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-us/countries_list/niv).

2. Select the location where you are applying from.

3. Scroll down and click on How to Apply.

4. Read the information on “How to Apply / Visa Overview” tab.

5. Follow steps.

Useful Links

• Visa Appointment Service Link: https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-us/countries_list/niv 

• Consular Electronic Application Center: https://ceac.state.gov/CEAC/ 

• DS-160: https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/ 

ESTA (Only Chile) (Visa Waiver Program)

1. Read Visa Waiver Program (VWP) information:  https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/tourism-visit/visa-waiver-program.html 

2. Check you satisfy all the requirements.

3. Apply via: https://www.cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors/esta

Mexico (CDMX) – Visitor (Tourist/Business) Visa

Attendees traveling to Mexico (for the CDMX part of the conference) fall under Mexico’s Visitor Visa (no permission for paid work). 

IMPORTANT: there is contradictory information out there. Always read information from official government websites.

Steps to travel

1. Look for your country in this link: https://embamex.sre.gob.mx/.

2. Click on your country and the appearing menus option “Visas para personas extranjeras” / “Servicios para personas extranjeras” option.

3. Read the information about your country and follow the listed steps.

Additional notes:

Citizens of many Latin American countries can enter as tourists, but others must apply for a visa.

• You need a visa if:

• You are a national of one of the countries in this list.

• Visa Type: For conference attendance, travelers use the Visitor (tourist/business) visa category (up to 180 days) [8][9]. No paid work or formal employment is allowed.

• Required Documents: Valid passport, completed visa application, passport-style photo, and supporting docs. Required evidence includes an invitation or registration for the conference, proof of economic solvency (bank statements, employment letter, etc.), and proof of strong ties at home (job, property) [10]. The Mexican consulate will take fingerprints and may require you to show onward travel plans. (Each applicant applies in person via the MiConsulado system.)

• Processing Time: You should apply ≥1 month before travel [11]. The consulate advises planning at least 1–3 business days in-country for processing [12]. Visa approval typically takes ~1–10 business days after the interview [12] (though no same-day issuance is guaranteed).

• Country Notes:

• Visa-Exempt Nationals: Citizens of Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay (among others listed on Mexico’s exempt list) do not need a visa to enter Mexico for up to 180 days [13]. Thus, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Peru – and, of course, Mexico itself – require no visa. (However, Colombians must pre-register online with Mexico’s immigration system before travel [14].) All visa-exempt travelers must still fill out the Mexico Tourist Card (FMM) upon arrival. The FMM (Forma Migratoria Múltiple) is a short-term entry permit valid up to 180 days [15].

• Additional exceptions for non-paid activities: Visa Exceptions

• Visa-Required Nationals: Citizens of Brazil, Ecuador, Venezuela are not on the exempt list and must obtain a Mexican Visitor visa in advance [13]. They should apply at the nearest Mexican consulate with the documents above. Anticipate up to 1–2 weeks for visa processing [12] and bring proof of conference participation.

• Your visa type must match the reason for your trip, make sure you keep these questions in mind when entering the country: Mexico visa type match

Countries and regions that require a VISA to enter Mexico

https://www.inm.gob.mx/gobmx/word/index.php/paises-requieren-visa-para-mexico/