Dear All We have been sent an explanation from ICANN Org via Nick Tomasso who is the Vice President of Global Meeting Operations (below) about our current At-Large issue relating to visa applications and rejections. I hope that this alleviates concerns people may have about what is being done by ICANN to support their applications. This is to support not only applications for Montreal but also looking ahead to other meetings you may wish to apply. If you have had a rejection letter, please apply again and as Etienne explained in his message to his colleagues, respond to the reasons that they have given for their rejection of your application. This may require some proof of your employment and some indication of the importance of returning home after the ICANN meeting, plus a download of any involvement you already have in ICANN - anything that you can provide to persuade the government of your reason for wanting to be at the ICANN meeting and how you aim to carry out ICANN's work in your community on your return to your homeland. I hope that this, and what ICANN is already doing, helps. Regards Maureen ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Nick Tomasso <nick.tomasso@icann.org> Date: Tue, Oct 1, 2019 at 8:59 AM Subject: Visa Issues - ICANN66 in Montreal To: Maureen Hilyard <maureen.hilyard@gmail.com> Cc: Goran Marby <goran.marby@icann.org>, Leon Sanchez < leon.sanchez@board.icann.org>, David Olive <david.olive@icann.org>, Sally Costerton <sally.costerton@icann.org>, Heidi Ullrich < Heidi.Ullrich@icann.org>, Joseph de Jesus <joseph.dejesus@icann.org>, Josh Baulch <josh.baulch@icann.org> Dear Maureen, Thank you for bringing forward the concerns of some funded travelers regarding securing visas for ICANN66 in Montreal. I would like to brief you our visa processes, and next steps. The Travel Services and Meetings teams have been working diligently on visas for Montreal. Prior to selecting Montreal as the location for ICANN66, we laid the groundwork to ensure the visa process would be as smooth as possible by working with our partners in Canada … Tourism Montreal and the Special Events Unit of NHQ Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. We advised them of the importance of all delegates receiving visas; advised them of the geographic make-up of ICANN meeting delegates; gained their commitment to put special processes in place to give the highest level of consideration to visa requests from ICANN delegates; and ensured that they would publicize our meeting with Canadian embassies and consulates. They, in turn, provided us with a single point of contact to escalate visa issues; communicated with embassies and consulates; and created a special event code for ICANN66, which was provided to our travelers for inclusion in their visa applications. We then engaged our visa agency, NewlandChase, to assist funded travelers with their visa applications. Joseph has reached out to all funded travelers on their visa application status. As predicted, some have received denials … 13 to be exact. It is not unusual to see this number of visa denials for an ICANN Meeting anywhere in the world. Joseph has now triggered the next phase of the visa process, which is: - Determine if those denied would like to re-apply, and provide support as necessary. - Engage with our Canadian partners, as mentioned above, and seek their support to reconsider the visa denials. Canada has an efficient and transparent visa process, so travelers know exactly what to do and expect when applying for a Canadian visa. ICANN Org and our local host cannot guarantee that all applicants will receive their Canada visas, which may depend on many factors that are outside of our control, for example: - Not being able to show proof of financial solvency - Not being able to show proof that they will return back to their home country, i.e., home ties - Country diplomatic issues - Not following the visa application procedures as outlined - Applying late Joseph, as usual, will keep a watchful eye on the visa issues. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. Best, Nick ========================================== Nick Tomasso Vice President, Global Meeting Operations Managing Director - Middle East & Africa - Istanbul ICANN Mobile TR: +90 533 341 65 50 Mobile US: +1 310 630 7730 email: nick.tomasso@icann.org web: www.icann.org