Thanks Rudi for sharing,

Still the usual situation, no matter how ICANN tries, the honest truth  visa applications in all countries are assessed on an individual basis, no matter the entity inviting you, so to all NPOC community members planning to attend ICANN meetings, the best advice I will say is get started early for visa processes if you require one  not wait  till a week or two before your scheduled an appointment a head start always helps combat some missing documentations that consular officers always require to process stuff, based on their on little bureaucracies that we can't help because of the current global world situation be it security checks  or whatever the consular officer might want to cross check etc. 

So I will will advice a  good head start of 45 days  for such ICANN travel when you require a  visa, at least we get ICANN meeting dates months ahead so that helps, I think this  is the best way to easy all these small bottle necks because then you know where you stand earlier or what you require to bring up, either extra documentation from you as the individual or your supporting organization based on the country the ICANN meeting is taken place especial if you have to travel out for Visa or send a passport to another country for a visa etc.

Just my 0.0001% contribution.

Kind Regards

Poncelet

On 9 June 2015 at 12:07, Rudi Vansnick <rudi.vansnick@isoc.be> wrote:
For your information 

Rudi Vansnick
Chair Non-for-Profit Operational Concerns Constituency (NPOC)




Begin doorgestuurd bericht:

Van: David Olive <david.olive@icann.org>
Onderwerp: ICANN53 - Update on the Current Visa Situation
Datum: 9 juni 2015 13:57:12 CEST

Dear Community Leaders:

As we all prepare for ICANN53, we wanted to provide you with an update on the current visa situation.
 
Obtaining visas for ICANN meeting participants remains a challenge.  There are government requirements imposed on us all and these are ever changing. Many are involved in efforts to resolve the issues -  the meetings team in suggesting locations, the local host in accepting to host an ICANN meeting, the GAC representative from the country where the meeting is taking place, and Constituency Travel in preparing information.  And each time we learn more and prepare as best we can in advance of the ICANN meeting.  
 
For Buenos Aires, we have been experiencing a greater than usual number of delays.  ICANN staff in the region as well as community travel staff continue to work daily with those Community members who have not yet received their visas.  We have reconfirmed recently that communications have been sent to the embassies/consulates regarding their questions.  Many individuals have interviews scheduled this week so we hope that we will see most visas issued that have been requested to attend ICANN53.  Of the 244 ICANN-funded Community travelers, nine will not be able to obtain a visa, mainly due to embassies in certain countries imposing very stringent visa application processes. Many other Community members  -- about 26 -- have confirmed that they are having their interviews with the embassies/consulates this week, so we are waiting for them to confirm soon whether they will be able to attend ICANN53.  
 
While we would like to make sure that all Community members wishing to attend the ICANN meeting in person are able to do so, the visa challenges will remain.  We are committed to continue our best efforts in cooperation with our local hosts and government representatives to ensure timely visa application processes with as few delays as possible.   
 
Finally, we also note that ICANN continues to make sure that remote participation is available for those who are unable for whatever reason to make an ICANN meeting  (See ICANN 53 http://meetings.icann.org/remote-participation). 
 
Best regards,
 
David     

David A. Olive
Vice President, Policy Development Support
General Manager, ICANN Regional Headquarters –Istanbul
Hakki Yeten Cad. Selenium Plaza No:10/C K:10 34349 Fulya, Besiktas, Istanbul
Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN)

Direct Line: +90.212.999.6212 
Mobile:       + 1. 202.341.3611
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