|
THIS INFORMATION FOR: • Singers • Pianists • Instrumentalists • Faculty/Staff • Visitors PASSPORTS AND VISAS All travelers, including children, leaving the United States and planning to return to the USA must have a valid passport. Check government web site for latest information. http://travel.state.gov/passport If you have a valid passport, CHECK THE EXPIRATION DATE NOW to make sure it is valid for longer than the duration of your travel outside the United States. If you do not have a valid passport, apply immediately! Yesterday would not have been too soon! New applications can take several weeks to months. APPLY NOW even though you are not completely sure you will attend Vianden Festival & School. If you are not traveling with a U.S. passport, you may need a visa to transit (land and change planes) certain countries and to enter Luxembourg. If you do not have the proper documents, you will not be allowed to change planes and will be detained by the police. PASSPORT REQUIREMENTS U.S. Citizens For detailed official information on passport application, visit http://travel.state.gov/passport.This web site has much more information than can be included here. The U.S. Passport Office in your city is usually located in Post Offices or the Courthouse. There are 9,000 passport offices in the U.S. When applying for the first time, or certain other stipulations, you must appear in person. Depending on the location, the rules vary as to how you can pay. Please see the web site to avoid inconvenience. You will need: • Certified copy of your birth certificate, your old passport or naturalization papers • Two photographs, size 2 x 2 inches, black & white (non-gloss, matte finish), or color photos with light background (less that six months old), check or money order made payable to the Passport Office) or $40.00 for children ages 16 and under. Adult passports are valid for 10 years; children's for 5 years. • $97.00 (cash, credit or debit cards, and checks accepted depending on location) Check prices on web site to avoid inconvenience! Verify with the location what they will accept. Fees for children <16 years are $82. Expedited service is an additional $60 plus overnight delivery charges. • Valid Driver License, any state • Certified proof of any name change Allow a minimum of 3 weeks to obtain your passport. Continued… VISA REQUIREMENTS U.S. Citizens If you are a citizen of the United States, a Visa is not required to visit Luxembourg, other European Union countries and most other European countries. NON-U.S. Citizens If your passport WAS NOT issued by the United States, you MUST contact the Luxembourg Embassy in Washington, DC (www.luxembourg-usa.org) Embassy of the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg Washington, DC, 2200 Mass. Avenue, Washington, DC 20008
Tel: (202) 265-4171, Fax: (202) 328-8270 or the nearest Luxembourgean consulate about a VISA to enter Luxembourg. If an Luxembourgean VISA is required for citizens of your country, you MUST APPLY and OBTAIN the VISA BEFORE you travel. If requested by the Luxembourgean consulate, Vianden Festival will supply a letter certifying your status as a Vianden Festival participant. First, show the officials your acceptance letter/email or contract. If a letter is needed, email or fax your request to the Vianden Festival Office. Obtaining a VISA may be slow and complicated. ACT NOW! Warning: It is essential for you to determine that your papers are in order for your RE-ENTRY into the United States. If you are returning to the U.S., investigate this now! Vianden Festival cannot help you if you do not have the proper documents.
|