Are you headed to #CRWAD2026 from outside the United States? We recommend applying for travel authorizations, and we can help:
Depending on the purpose of your trip to Illinois, you can obtain a visa or an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).
- For a stay of fewer than 90 days, obtaining a visa to travel to Illinois is unnecessary if you are a citizen of one of the 38 countries in the US Visa Waiver Program; simply apply for an ESTA travel authorization online.
- African and South American citizens: You cannot travel to the United States with an ESTA. Instead, you must apply for a B1 visa. Start your request early! The processing time for a B1 visa can take a few weeks to a few months.
Need an invitation letter to facilitate your visa application? Request an invitation letter to facilitate your visa application after you’ve registered. Please contact your nearest US embassy or consulate if you have questions or need assistance.
Once on-site, the city of Chicago is home to more than 80 Consulate/Consul General offices. Find your closest foreign consulate here for when you’re at the meeting.
