An extensive network of ground and air transportation systems services the Washington, DC metropolitan area making travel to and from Banknote 2009 easy for domestic and international travelers. We recommend that you book your travel as soon as you can, to ensure your ideal itinerary.

Please note all costs listed are approximate and may vary at the time you travel. Please contact the individual providers for more precise information.

For International Travelers:

Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)

Located approximately 25 miles west of Washington, taxi fare to downtown Washington is about $50.  Washington Flyer buses provide service to the Metrorail station (approx. 20 minutes), after which you transfer to a Metro train. The fare for the Washington Flyer bus is currently $9. For tickets and information on the Washington Flyer bus service and other transportation options, please visit www.washfly.com. For information on Metrorail service and fares, visit www.wmata.com.

Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI)

Located approximately 30 miles northeast of DC, taxi fare to downtown Washington is about $55. The SuperShuttle buses that run from BWI to downtown Washington cost approximately $22 and take about 65-minutes.  For tickets and information, please see www.supershuttle.com.

For Domestic and Canadian Travelers:

Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA)

Located four miles south of Downtown Washington, taxi fare to the city is about $15. SuperShuttle buses from National Airport to downtown Washington cost approximately $8 ($14 round-trip) and take about 20 minutes. For tickets and information, please see www.supershuttle.com. The National Airport is also accessible by Metrorail Blue and Yellow lines.

Domestic travelers may also access either Baltimore/Washington International Airport or Washington Dulles International Airport.

Union Station

Located in the heart of Downtown Washington, the Amtrak Train Station inside this historic building is one of the nation's busiest. The JW Marriott is a short taxi ride from Union Station and costs approximately $7. For tickets and information, please see www.amtrak.com.

Overview

Many travelers must obtain a visa to travel to the U.S. and attend Banknote 2009. For visitors experienced in traveling to the United States, you can likely prepare your entry documentation using the methods that have worked for you in the past. If you have not traveled to the United States recently, Banknote 2009 is pleased to provide the following information to assist you.

The information on this page is intended to help our delegates better understand U.S. entry requirements. Delegates should not consider the information provided on this page to be necessarily authoritative or comprehensive. For more details, delegates should reference the U.S. government’s official web site, www.unitedstatesvisas.gov. They should also contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for more specific and current information concerning entry requirements.

If you determine that you will need a visa to attend Banknote 2009, please be advised that visa applications are evaluated very carefully. As a result, visa applications take more time now than in the past.

Please be sure to plan ahead and budget ample time to obtain your visa.

Visa Waiver Program

Not everyone who travels to the U.S. needs a visa. Delegates are eligible for the U.S. government’s Visa Waiver Program and do not have to apply for a U.S. visa if they:

• are citizens of Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, or Switzerland; and
• are staying for less than 90 days on a pleasure/business trip to the U.S.

All visitors traveling under the Visa Waiver Program must present a machine-readable passport (or obtain a U.S. visa). A machine-readable passport has biographical data entered on the data page according to international specifications. For more information concerning these requirements, please visit the U.S. State Department web site. If you are unsure if your passport in machine readable, you may want to contact the passport issuing agency or authority in your country of citizenship.

U.S. Business Visa

If you are not eligible for the Visa Waiver Program, then you will need a visa to enter the U.S.. Most Banknote 2009 delegates will likely need a B-1 business visa. The B-1 visa is used for a variety of business-related activities. The following are examples of lawful B-1 activities:

• Attending a scientific, educational, professional or business convention, conference or seminar;
• Giving a lecture.

If you want to qualify for a B-1 business visa, you must show the following:

• The purpose of your trip is for business;
• You plan to stay for a specific, limited period of time; and
• You have social and economic ties outside the U.S. and you will return abroad at the end of your visit.

This is what you must submit when you apply for a business visa:

• Completed Application Form DS-156;
• Current, valid passport or travel document (valid for at least six months beyond period of stay in U.S);
• Photograph (Requirements are strict for photograph size, type and quality. Please check with your nearest consulate for specifications before you get your picture taken.);
• Application fees (All applicants must pay the application fee. Some applicants, according to nationality and type of visa, must also pay an issuance fee.);
• Evidence of business-related work in the U.S.;
• Evidence that your visit is temporary and that you will leave the U.S. after your legally authorized stay;
• Evidence of funds to cover expenses in the U.S.;
• Evidence of compelling social and economic ties abroad; and
• Undergo security clearance procedures.

To begin the visa application process, it is very important that you make an appointment to visit the U.S. embassy or consulate nearest you as soon as possible. Please plan for the possibility of a delay in the issue of your visa. While most additional processing takes 30 days or less, a small percentage may take considerably longer.

For these reasons, make your visa application well in advance of your intended travel to Banknote 2009.

Information Resources for U.S. Entry Requirements

Department of State — Internet Addresses

• U.S Embassies and Consulates abroad
• Visa Services (for Foreigners Traveling to U.S.)
• Visitor Visas for Business and Pleasure
• Visa Waiver Program
• Visa Wait Times
• Visa Application Forms
• Nonimmigrant Visa Photo Requirements
  

Department of State — Telephone Information

• Visa Services public information (Washington, DC): 202-663-1225 (for general visa information via taped messages, with an option to speak with an officer)

Department of Homeland Security — Internet Addresses

• Department of Homeland Security
• US-VISIT

Washington, DC typically enjoys mild winters but it is generally wise to plan for a chill in the air. The Conference venue is close to many of the area’s most popular sites, so taking time for a little local culture ought to be a pleasant experience. Many holiday-related festivities will also take place during the Conference dates, for those who are interested.

For more information regarding the many historical sites and tourist attractions in the Washington area, please visit the following sites:

• Washington, DC Convention and Tourism Corporation
• National Museum of Natural History
• National Museum of American History
• National Museum of Women in the Arts
• National Air and Space Museum
• United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
• Hirshorn Gallery and Sculpture Garden
• National Gallery of Art
• National Museum of the American Indian
• The Phillips Collection