Council Colleagues - Please note the announcement & blog post below. In most cases, attendees will need a "Conference Visa" for ICANN57 Hyderabad, and an "eTourist" Visa may not be accepted for entry to India. ICANN has also provided a link to request an Invitation Letter. Thanks- J. From: <soac-infoalert-bounces@icann.org<mailto:soac-infoalert-bounces@icann.org>> on behalf of David Olive <david.olive@icann.org<mailto:david.olive@icann.org>> Date: Wednesday, August 17, 2016 at 8:55 Subject: [Soac-infoalert] ICANN57 Hyderabad: What You Need to Know (Part 2) - ICANN https://www.icann.org/news/blog/icann57-hyderabad-what-you-need-to-know-part... * Author: Nick Tomasso | Vice President, Meetings <https://www.icann.org/news/blog/icann57-hyderabad-what-you-need-to-know-part-2#><https://www.icann.org/news/blog/icann57-hyderabad-what-you-need-to-know-part-2#><https://www.icann.org/news/blog/icann57-hyderabad-what-you-need-to-know-part-2#><https://www.icann.org/news/blog/icann57-hyderabad-what-you-need-to-know-part-2#><https://www.icann.org/news/blog/icann57-hyderabad-what-you-need-to-know-part-2#><https://www.icann.org/news/blog/icann57-hyderabad-what-you-need-to-know-part-2#> Further to my blog<https://www.icann.org/news/blog/icann57-hyderabad-what-you-need-to-know> on 25 July 2016, I would like to share details on visa applications to assist all who are attending ICANN57 Annual General Meeting in Hyderabad with your travel planning. We have worked extensively with the India government to ensure a clear and smooth process for all Indian visa applications. They have also assured us that all ICANN57 visa applications will be treated as priority. All delegates requiring visas to India should visit here<http://www.mea.gov.in/indian-missions-abroad.htm> to find the nearest India diplomatic mission to apply for your visa. You must apply for a Conference Visa. Please refer to the guide<https://meetings.icann.org/en/hyderabad57/visa-application-guide-india> we have put together for reference. Apply early as the process could take up to two weeks. You will also need invitation letters<https://invitationletters.icann.org/> from ICANN and the local host, which may take another two weeks to generate. Do take note that the e-Tourist Visa will not be applicable for our ICANN meeting. Any traveler trying to enter India with the e-Tourist Visa may be denied entry. If you have an existing valid Business Visa, you need not apply for the Conference Visa. We have set up a dedicated email (icann57visasupport@icann.org)<mailto:icann57visasupport@icann.org)> that you can contact should you need any further clarification about the visa. Remember to register<https://registration.icann.org/register.php?id=Hyderabad57> for ICANN57 and check our meeting site<https://meetings.icann.org/en/hyderabad57> for regular updates. Lastly, don't forget to attend the webinar on 7 September 2016 (1500 UTC) where we will share more information on ICANN57, logistics, accommodations and travel. Look out for our announcement and join us then. Sent from my iPhone David A. Olive Senior Vice President, Policy Development Support General Manager, ICANN Regional Headquarters -Istanbul