Travel

Getting to and from Columbia, Missouri, USA

There are three airports that you can fly into when traveling to the IAA18 conference. The closest airport is the Columbia Regional Airport which has limited connecting flights in and out each day on Northwest Airlines. The Columbia Regional Airport is just minutes away from the conference site and car rental is available on site.

The Lambert-St. Louis International Airport and Kansas City International Airport are each approximately two hours from Columbia, Missouri. Car rental agencies are on site. There is also a regular shuttle to and from Columbia to both airports.

Please visit the following airports when making your travel plans.

• St. Louis airport (Lambert): www.flystl.com/
  – Rental cars available
  
  
• Kansas City airport (KCI): www.flykci.com/index.asp
  – Rental cars available
  
  
• Columbia Regional Airport: www.flymidmo.com/
  – Rental cars available
  
  
• MO-X: www.moexpress.com/tac/default.aspx
  – Carriage service from Kansas City or Saint Louis airports
  – $90US roundtrip from door-to-door costs
  
  
• Megas Bus: www.megabus.com/us/
  – fares from $1 US
  – Rental cars available
  – routes in northeastern and Midwestern USA

Travel by car

If you are driving to Columbia, Missouri, you will find it conveniently located in the middle of Missouri along I-70.

Link to Google or Mapquest

International Travel

Travel to the United States
Most travelers to the United States must hold a valid visa and a passport that is valid six months longer than the intended visit. Please visit the International Visitors Office to determine if you require a travel visa to attend the IAA Symposium. If you require a visa, please recognize that the visa application process may take several months. An interview appointment is required for a visa application at all embassies and consulates. The wait time for this appointment varies, but may be as long as four months, with processing taking an additional month or more. The wait time for visa applications is available on the State Department's website. As soon as you have decided to attend the meeting, you should begin the process of applying for a visa.

In 2004, the United States instituted the US-VISIT program, requiring most foreign visitors to have their two index fingers scanned and a digital photograph taken to verify their identity at the port of entry. A departure confirmation program, as part of US-VISIT, is currently being tested. This program applies to all visitors, including those from visa waiver countries. Most Canadians are currently exempt from US-VISIT.

Contact Sandi Strother via email at muconf2@missouri.edu if you require a letter of intended participation for your visa application.

Visa Waiver Program (VWP)
Citizens of 27 countries do not need a U.S. visa for business or tourism visits of less than 90 days. However, if you will be receiving any compensation for your services or activities (i.e., lectures, presentations, etc.), you may need to apply for a visa. Contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for more information.

Visitors from visa waiver countries are required to carry a machine-readable passport. Newer passports may also require a digital photograph and integrated chip with information. If your passport does not meet the requirements, you must obtain a travel visa. For additional details and updates on the Visa Waiver Program, see the State Department's Visa Waiver Program website.

Countries included in the Visa Waiver Program include: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Lichtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom.

Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)
Beginning in 2007, all persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will be required to present a valid passport. In 2008, this requirement will also apply to all persons traveling by land and sea. For more information, see the State Department's New Requirements for Travelers website.

Experiencing a Delay in Travel Visa Processing?
The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) has developed a page on its web site to collect detailed information about international scientists experiencing significant visa delays. This could prove useful to scientists still trying to cope with the many changes in protocol brought on by the SEVIS student-tracking system and the enhanced security of the US VISIT program. Visa applications that are delayed by more than 20 days will be reported to the State Department. Please visit the NAS web site at national-academies.org/visas.

Miscellaneous Fees

Daily and weekly parking permits can be purchased for University garages. The cost for the permits are: $3 a day and $9 a week (subject to change).

 

 

Big River Missouri