Visas and Letters of Invitation

Detecting and preventing visa fraud

Unfortunately, fraudulent registrations are sometimes used to obtain IETF letters of invitation for the purposes of visa fraud and so we actively work to detect and prevent this. If we determine that a meeting registration is fraudulent, we cancel the registration and report the fraudulent registrant to the visa authorities in the country in which we expect that visa application to be made. In addition, if we determine that a stolen credit card was used as part of this fraud then we refund the card.

IETF 124 Visas and Letters of Invitation (LOI)

On the Government of Canada Immigration and Citizenship 'Visit' page, you can determine if you require a visa or an electronic travel authorization (eTA) to travel to Canada. More information for event attendees can be found on the Business visitors attending meetings, events and conferences page. If you do need a visa, you can request a LOI from your participant attendee dashboard after registering for the meeting. This LOI includes a special event code from the Special Events Department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). With your LOI, you will also be provided with an information packet for how to apply for a Canadian visa. A letter will also be included from the Canada Border Services Agency, which you may need to present upon entry to Canada.

After Visa Application

Once you have applied for a visa, please provide your full legal name, visa application number, and passport issuing country to support@ietf.org so we can associate your application to the IETF 124 event registration with the Canadian Special Events Department at IRCC.

If you need assistance with or have issues regarding your LOI, please contact us directly at support@ietf.org. 

IETF 125 Visas and Letters of Invitation (LOI)

You can request a letter of invitation issued by CNNIC and the IETF via your participant dashboard. The English version of the letter of invitation should be sufficient for all visa applications. To determine if you require a visa and for instructions on how to apply, please visit the China Online Visa Application website.

If your plans include tourism, you may apply for a type L-type visa.

If your plans only include attending the IETF meeting, you may apply for an F-type visa. You will require the letter of invitation available to you from your participant dashboard if you apply for an F-type visa. Some embassies may require the applicant to provide an invitation letter bearing the official seal of the inviter's company. If such an invitation letter is needed, the applicant will need to submit a scanned copy of the first page of their passport to support@ietf.org and fill in the information in this PDF.

This information will then be provided to CNNIC, the IETF 125 Meeting Host, who will help to process and issue the invitation letter bearing the official seal of CNNIC.