International Attendees Guide: Navigating Your Visit

Visitor Visa Requirements

Be sure to plan ahead to ensure you meet the visa/travel requirements to enter the United States. We understand in some areas of the world, there continues to be delays in obtaining a visa to enter the United States. Plan Ahead! These links and resources will help you navigate this process.

Check the US State Department Website for Your Requirements

Many visitors to the United States require a visa to enter the country, unless they are coming from a country that participates in the Visa Waiver Program and possess a Machine-Ready Passport (MRP). If you require a visa to enter the United States, please check with your local United States Embassy or Consulate to obtain the necessary documentation as soon as possible.

Visa Waiver Program (VWP)

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security requires travelers from Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries to apply for travel authorization at least 72 hours prior to departure through its Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). Additional information and online application can be found on the Department of Homeland Security's ESTA website.

Request a Letter of Invitation

In order to assist you with the visa process, you may request a Letter of Invitation to the ANCC Conference. You must have a paid registration in order to request a Letter of Invitation. Questions, please email meetings@ana.org

Questions about the Visa Process?

If you have any questions about the visa process, please contact your local embassy or consulate.

Remember to Book Your Housing Early!

To ensure the best hotel selection, we recommend that you < Insert Housing link >

Welcome to the United States (US)! We look forward to seeing you in Chicago, Illinois the location of ANCC’s 2026 Conference. Chicago is the 3^rd largest city in the US with a population of over 3 million. The following information will help you acclimate to the United States and also discover some of the fun and exciting attractions that our host city has to offer.

Business hours in the United States are extensive in the services sector. One can shop for clothing, food and other items or find an open restaurant very late in the evening, and in some cases, 24 hours per day. Business hours for banks and government agencies such as the post office are more limited—typically between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.—though some may have extended hours.

For a list of attractions in Chicago, please visit Choose Chicago

Calendar of Dates

Calendar dates are expressed in the month-day-year order in the United States. This is contrary to the system used in many other countries. For instance, the 11^th of October 2026, would be listed as

10-11-2026 rather than 11-10-2026.

12-hour Clock

A twelve-hour clock utilizing a.m. and p.m. designations is standard in the United States. The twenty-four hour clock is primarily used only in military settings. Chicago, is in the Central Time Zone (CT), Daylight Saving Time (DST) will be in effect during the 2023 Conference.

Customary Meal Hours
Breakfast: 6:30 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.
Lunch: 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Dinner: 5:30 p.m.– 8:00 p.m.

As with other services, extended restaurant hours for meals are readily available in the United States. On weekends, many Americans combine the meals of breakfast and lunch into a single "brunch." Many full-service hotels offer brunch buffets on Saturday and Sunday.

Electricity

Electronics in the United States operate with a voltage of 110-120 volts, 60 cycles. If your equipment requires 220 volts, you will need to bring a transformer and plug adapter; converters can be difficult to find once in the United States.

Emergency Information

In general, one can dial 911 from any phone for emergency services, including police, ambulance and fire department. However, hotels and convention centers have their own emergency numbers, which will be posted on the phones and in the guest directories.

Money Matters

Cash machines are also known as automatic teller machines or ATMs in the United States. They are easily found in the United States near banks and in malls, shops and hotels, as well as on the street in major cities such as Chicago. Service is reliable. The exchange rate is generally better at an ATM than at a bank currency exchange counter. Foreign currency exchange service is provided at the Chicago Midway Airport's Seaway National Bank located in Concourse A and at O'Hare International Airport's Seaway National Bank located at Terminal 2, 3, and 5. Most retailers in the United States accept cash and credit cards. Please note that for the 2026 ANCC Conference, the McCormick Place Convention Center is a cashless property and will only accept credit cards at their food and beverage locations.

Smoking

Smoking is prohibited at the ANCC Conference and in all public areas like McCormick Place, except in designated areas.

Telephone Usage

To make international calls from a telephone in the United States, dial the international calling number (011), followed by the country code, then city code, then phone number. For instance, to reach Harrod's in London, dial 011-44-20-7730-1234. If you require operator assistance, an AT&T International Operator can be reached by dialing 00.

Tipping

Tips or gratuities are optional payments given in addition to a required payment, usually to express appreciation for excellent service. How much to tip is a personal judgment; the information below serves only as a guideline to typical amounts. One should never offer a tip to police officers or government employees; such an offer might be considered a bribe.

• Waiters and waitresses normally receive 20% of the amount of the food bill for good service.

• Porters receive $1 or $2 per bag.

• Taxi drivers receive 15-20% of the amount of the fare.

• Barbers and hairdressers, as well as spa personnel, normally receive 15-20% of the bill.

• Room service personnel often receive an automatic gratuity that is listed on the food bill after the subtotal. Otherwise, $2 per meal is acceptable.

• Hotel maids normally receive $1 to $2 per night for cleaning the room.

• Any other visits from hotel personnel (for more towels or pillows, for instance) can be appropriately tipped with $1 to $2.

• Tour guides for organized tours utilizing transportation can receive tips for excellent service. The size of such a tip depends on the number of persons touring, the length of the tour, etc. For a half-day bus tour with a good guide, an average tip might be $5 per attendee.