International Visitors

What you need to know as an international visitor

Passport

As an international participant of IRE, this section features information about your Letter of Invitation, VISA application form, and links to locate your U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

The International Roofing Expo is proud to be a world class tradeshow and welcomes its international visitors. If you are an international visitor to the IRE, be reminded that the United States government has instituted new, tighter visa requirements for non-immigrant applicants. This may lengthen the amount of time it takes to process your visa application. As a result, get an early jump on your visa application process by obtaining all the necessary documentation.

Whether you are an attendee or exhibitor at the IRE, you must do several things in advance to prepare for your trip. Generally, international travelers need a VISA to enter the U.S. Travelers from certain eligible countries may be able to visit the U.S. without a VISA, through the VISA Waiver Program (VWP).

If you are from a country that does not participate in the VWP, you will need to make an appointment with your U.S. Embassy or Consulate for a VISA interview.

During the online registration process you will have the opportunity to request a Visa Invitation Letter.

You must register to attend the International Roofing Expo in order to receive an official visa invitation letter. The turnaround time for most VISA applications is 30 days, but in some cases may take considerably longer. It is recommended to apply for your VISA two to three months before your scheduled trip in order to avoid delays in processing. You may contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate for current wait times.

Appropriate documentation, such as an Invitation Letter, can help demonstrate the purpose of your trip is to attend and/or exhibit at the International Roofing Expo and that you intend to return home.

  • International visitors may access the Letter of Invitation through the registration system once they have completed the registration for the show.
  • Only International Roofing Expo attendees and exhibitors qualify for the Letter of Invitation
  • At the end of the registration process, go to your registration dashboard and click on the Visa Invitation Letter to download the letter.
  • You may print the letter and attach a copy of your International Roofing Expo registration confirmation to use in your visa interview as supporting documentation from the International Roofing Expo.
  • Emailed copies may be accepted but it is recommended that you review your U.S. Embassy or Consulate's website for specific requirements.

If you have questions or need assistance please contact us at (866) 217-1926, Monday - Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm CST, or email [email protected].

The U.S. government requires residents of many countries to obtain a temporary visa before entering the United States. Recent changes to the visa application process may have increased the length of time required to receive your visa. It is very important to apply for a visa at least 90 days prior to departure. For information on U.S. visa policies and procedures, click here.

The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) enables citizens of 27 countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business without obtaining a visa. VWP travelers must present a machine-readable passport (MRP) at the U.S. post of entry to enter the U.S. without a visa. To obtain a complete list of exempt countries and learn more, visit the Visa Waiver Program website at visaguide.world/us-visa/nonimmigrant/visitor/visa-waiver-program.

The International Roofing Expo (IRE) extends a special welcome to those of you who are traveling to the show from outside of the United States. We are looking forward to meeting you! 

Event Basics

Language
Sessions at the International Roofing Expo are conducted in English.

Venue
Our 2022 event will be held at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas, Tx.

Weather
Prior to traveling to the show, you may wish to check the 10-day weather forecast.

Exchange Rate
Help plan your trip by checking the current exchange rate of your currency to U.S. dollars.

Tipping
Tipping in the United States is customary. A 15% to 20% tip is usually expected in restaurants, taxis, and for services you receive.

Etiquette
Become familiar with American etiquette for private, public, and business interactions.

Time
New Orleans is in the Central Time Zone.

Electricity
Voltage 120, frequency 60 Hz. Adapters that may be required are: Two flat blades or two flat blades with a round grounding pin

Internet

Most hotels offer high-speed Internet connections and Internet cafés are plentiful.

Emergencies
Dial 911 from any phone.

Business Hours
Standard business hours are 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday.

Attire
Attire at the IRE is business casual. Since meeting room temperatures and personal comfort ranges may vary, a light sweater or jacket is recommended. Also, you may wish to wear comfortable shoes, as walking distances within the convention center can be long.

All travelers transiting the U.S. are subject to the U.S. customs/immigration laws. Visitors traveling to the U.S. are required to be in possession of passports that are valid for six months beyond the period of their intended stay in the U.S. Click for more information about passports and documents required for foreign travelers.