Visa requirements for International attendees.

[Ryan-Captive]

Hi guys,

I'm a Pakistani ex-muslim atheist currently living in NY. I am very keen to attend this event to see all these great rational minds. It would be a dream come true for a person like me who actually left Islam to most part after reading Sam Harris and Ayaan al Hirsi. I called Australian embassy here in NY and they have told me that I'd need an invitation letter from the organizers in order to obtain a short term visa to attend this event. Does anybody here knows who exactly should I contact for this invitation letter thing.

Highly appreciated.

[4lan]

Hi Ryan,

I think there may be some confusion, the invitation would only apply for someone here for the purpose of speaking at the event (or similar involvement).

http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/speci...ntry/index.htm

However simply visiting the event as a social activity I suspect an electronic stored authority visa would be sufficient.

http://www.immi.gov.au/visitors/tourist/976/index.htm

I hope that helps.

Edit: I'm pretty sure the GAC organisers will have done this but http://www.immi.gov.au/visitors/even.../enquiries.htm could help with exact advice (I'd rather link it and not need to than need to and not have done.. etc.)

4lan

[4lan]

Originally Posted by The Irreverent Mr Black

@4lan: one would hope so, but the wording of the Embassy's reply would hopefully be an indication of their interpretation of Ryan-C's situation.

Totally agree, certainly worth checking in any event.

And welcome to the forums Ryan-C, congrats on the coveted 2000th member status l-D

4lan

[Ryan-Captive]

But the electronic visa is only for the nationals of few selective countries. For Pakistani nationals an invitation letter is a must requirement, according to embassy.

[Praxis]

Originally Posted by Ryan-Captive

That was quick, Thank you

We're a good bunch around here

Hope you can make it to the GAC Ryan and that you enjoy the forums in the meantime.

[Ryan-Captive]

Thank you guys..

[Ryan-Captive]

This is the visa advised to me by Australian embassy in NY. And in this checklist it also clearly says 'An invitation letter' required.

http://www.immi.gov.au/visitors/even...rticipants.htm

But I'll definitely check with the embassy again tomorrow and write to Australian Atheist foundation.

[4lan]

Originally Posted by Ryan-Captive

This is the visa advised to me by Australian embassy in NY. And in this checklist it also clearly says 'An invitation letter' required.

http://www.immi.gov.au/visitors/even...rticipants.htm

But I'll definitely check with the embassy again tomorrow and write to Australian Atheist foundation.

Yes, my first two links above were based on the assumption your residency in the USA applied. Sorry for the confusion.

4lan

[Lord Blackadder]

You may want to visit the website for DIAC - the Department for Immigration and Citizenship. They will be able to discuss visa requirements with you (sorry, no linky as I am not at a real computer. Off the top if my head it's www.diac.gov.au).


Sent from my iPhone using magic technology thingy application thingy.

[janeyqdoe]

From looking at that link on the immigration website, it look like they think you are coming for a BUSINESS convention. I'm not sure that you would need an invitation letter to attend GAC as it is a convention in a different sense, like Comicon. I would guess that you only need a tourist Visa which you'd probably still have to apply for, but you shouldn't need an invitation letter- they're normally only required if you plan to conduct business to confirm that you actually have business to conduct.