Do I need a visa?
All travelers entering the United States must present either a passport or a visa. If you do NOT have a passport, or you are from a country that does NOT participate in the Visa Waiver Program, you must apply for a visa.
These countries
DO NOT require a visa to enter the United States.
Why should I get it early?
Getting your travel documents well in advance of your travel dates is important. If you require a visa, the application process could be lengthy. In some countries, it can take over a month. We strongly suggest you begin the process as soon as possible.
What is involved in applying for a visa?
The visa application process is an interview at the US Embassy explaining your trip to the United States. You should apply for a travel/tourist visa and be sure to let them know that you are only staying in the United States for a short time. It's a good idea to have the following information available at your interview:
- An official letter of invitation from TopCoder (please see below)
- Proof of residency in your home country
- Evidence of employment and community ties, such as a copy of your marriage license or university documents
- Your resume
- You should bring copies of your member profile and tournament information from the website in the event the website can not be accessed at your appointment.
What if I cannot get an appointment at the embassy early enough to meet TopCoder's deadlines?
If you are unable to get an appointment early enough, you may contact jford@topcoder.com
. Jessie will be able to get in contact with the embassy to request an expedited appointment for you to get your visa.
What does getting an expedited appointment mean and what would I need for that?
If you need TopCoder's help to get an expedited appointment, that means TopCoder will directly contact the embassy for you with your visa invitation letter. If you need an expedited appointment, email jford@topcoder.com with the following information:
- Your full name
- Your passport number
- Which US Embassy you plan on going to
- The phone number, fax number and email address of the US Embassy you will go to
- Any other pertinent information: if you already have a later appointment, the number of your appointment is helpful as well
How do I get an official invitation letter from TopCoder?
As stated in the rules for each tournament, all competitors must request a visa invitation letter a certain date. See the rules for the tournament you are interested in for the exact date.
When can I get a visa invitation letter from TopCoder?
TopCoder will send you the visa request form during different stages of each competition. Review the tournament rules to get the specific time.
Can I get a visa invitation letter earlier than the specific point in the tournament noted in the tournament rules?
Yes. If you feel that getting a visa in your country will not fit in the time constraints that TopCoder is looking for, then you may request a visa early.
How can I get a visa invitation letter earlier than the date noted in the tournament rules?
If you need to get a letter earlier than the suggested date in the rules, you may email TopCoder's Event Manager at jford@topcoder.com. Jessie will be able to get you a visa invitation letter as soon as possible.
How do I apply for a visa?
Begin by visiting: http://www.unitedstatesvisas.gov/obtainingvisa/index.html or find your nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate
What if I am denied my visa?
If you are denied your visa, in most cases it may be hard to go back for another interview. If you get into this situation, please email jford@topcoder.com with all your information and the details of the situation. Jessie will try to help get you another appointment if it is not too late.
Remember, if you become a tournament finalist, you MUST show proof of your visa and/or passport by the deadline before TopCoder will book a flight for you. If you do not have your visa and/or passport by the appropriate date, you will be disqualified as a finalist. Please revisit the tournament rules for more information or email jford@topcoder.com with any questions.
