Visa Information


Important Information for International NAMM Members Needing Visas to Attend the 2009 NAMM Show

The NAMM shows are not open to the public. Only companies that are currently actively doing business in the music products industry will qualify to attend. The best way to attend is to have your company become a Member of NAMM. For more information, please e-mail info@namm.org.

NAMM, the International Music Products Association, welcomes Member companies from more than 90 countries to our two major trade shows: The NAMM Show (in January) and NAMM Summer Session. We know your time is valuable, whether your company is exhibiting at the show or you are attending as a Buyer representing your company. We offer the following information to help make your time at the NAMM Shows a pleasant and profitable experience.

If you need a visitor visa for travel to the United States, you should request an official Letter of Invitation from NAMM. The Letter of Invitation should be submitted with the visa application to document your purpose in visiting the United States. Please be aware that employees of NAMM cannot assist you with the visa interview process. NAMM does offer the following suggestions, as provided by the U.S. Department of State.

Obtaining a visa will take longer than in the past. Please request Letters of Invitation at least 120 days prior to travel dates for The NAMM Show. The last day to request a 2009 NAMM Show Letter of Invitation is October 1, 2008.

Please note: Requests received after October 1, 2008, may not allow sufficient time to obtain the necessary appointment with your local U.S. Embassy.

Please complete the Letter of Invitation Request Form, with required information for each person who will need a Letter of Invitation to attend the NAMM Show:

Letter of Invitation Request Form (XLS)
Letter of Invitation Request Form (PDF)

Return the completed Request for Letters of Invitation to the NAMM office.

By e-mail to: registration@namm.org, subject: Letters of Invitation
By Fax to: 760-438-3483
Or by mail to:
NAMM Registration
5790 Armada Drive
Carlsbad, CA 92008

NAMM will send all original letters by United States Postal Service First Class Mail International unless an account number for UPS or FedEx is provided.
** NAMM can no longer use DHL for shipping.

Complete your visa application and submit all the required documents to the nearest U.S. Consulate Office with your NAMM Letter of Invitation.

Be specific about the dates of your travel to and from the United States. If you have already purchased your hotel and air bookings, provide your round-trip travel itinerary with your application.

If you are denied, reapply immediately and provide any requested information at your next interview. If you are delayed or denied again, please submit an inquiry about your case by e-mail to BusinessVisa@state.gov or call 202-663-3198.

Please inform NAMM of your situation so that we may try to be of assistance, if possible. The Visa Assistance Program can expedite visa processing and arrange special appointments with the U.S. Consulate Offices. It is the only program recognized by the State Department and may benefit NAMM Members based in the United States with operations overseas. To locate the nearest program or learn more, go to www.uschamber.com/international.

The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs does maintain a list of countries from which visitors may travel to the U.S. without a visa. To learn more about this program or to see the list of the Visa Waiver countries, please visit  http://travel.state.gov/visa/visa_1750.html.

If your country is on this list please be aware that you are now required to visit the online Electronic System for Travel Authorization web site and complete the online application.  You will find additional information about this program at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/id_visa/esta/esta_intro/  (available in 13 different languages.)

© 2008 NAMM, the International Music Products Association