Visa and ESTA Information for International Attendees

Travellers from foreign countries need to make sure they get a U.S. Visa. Please contact the conference chairs if you need a letter of support. Note that even if you hold citizenship of a country with which the U.S. has a visa waiver program, you now need so-called "ESTA authorization" to enter the U.S.: ESTA stands for an Electronic System for Travel Authorization, which is an electronic system for screening passengers before they begin travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). ESTA applications may be submitted at any time prior to travel to the United States, and VWP travelers are encouraged to apply for authorization as soon as they begin to plan a trip to the United States. ESTA has become mandatory for all travelers from current Visa Waiver Program member countries. Frequently asked questions available here.

Getting To Irvine, California

Irvine is accessible via three international airports:


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The most convenient airport is John Wayne International Orange County Airport (SNA), located approximately 10 minutes from the UCI campus, with a lovely sculpture of John Wayne himself:

photo: Golden Statue of John Wayne
Photo Credit: Brent, Flickr Creative Commons License

Long Beach international airport (LBA) is located approximately 25 minutes north of the campus off of I-405, and LAX international airport in Los Angeles is located approximately 55 minutes north of campus off of I-405. Bus shuttles are available from both airports, e.g. PrimeTime Shuttle. The cost of a shared ride will be about $43 from LAX and $25 from LBA each way. In comparison, regular taxi from SNA to the UC Irvine campus is $15.


DRIVING DIRECTIONS TO UCI FROM JOHN WAYNE AIRPORT:

  1. Start out going NORTHEAST on AIRPORT WAY toward MACARTHUR BLVD
  2. Turn RIGHT onto MACARTHUR BLVD.
  3. Turn LEFT onto CAMPUS DR. Travel approximately 2 miles, UCI will be on right.

DRIVING DIRECTIONS TO UCI FROM LONG BEACH AIRPORT:

  1. Merge onto I-405 S. Drive for about 20 miles.
  2. Just after the 73 and the 55 exists, exit JAMBOREE AVE and turn RIGHT.
  3. Turn LEFT on CAMPUS DR. Travel approximately 1 mile, UCI will be on right.

DRIVING DIRECTIONS TO UCI FROM LAX:

  1. Merge onto I-405 S toward LONG BEACH. Drive for about 40 miles.
  2. Just after the 73 and the 55 exists, exit JAMBOREE AVE and turn RIGHT.
  3. Turn LEFT on CAMPUS DR. Travel approximately 1 mile, UCI will be on right.