September 23, 2025

VMX International Travelers Guide

Essential Information for a Hassle-Free and Rewarding Experience

We are excited to welcome all international attendees to Orlando and VMX! Attending VMX can be a rewarding experience, but when you’re traveling from another country, it requires careful advance planning and preparation. Here are some essential tips to help international attendees navigate all the logistics of traveling to Orlando and making the most of their VMX experience.

VMX International Travelers Passport

Gather Required Documents

First, you’ll need to gather all necessary documents:

A passport valid for at least six months beyond your planned stay. Passport cards are not acceptable for international travel.
An official letter from the conference organizers confirming registration and purpose of visit. To obtain a Letter of Invitation for VMX for international travelers, you must register and pay in full for the event (see additional information in the “Obtaining a Letter of Invitation” section below).
A completed online nonimmigrant DS-160 visa application form and proof of payment for the visa application fee. The DS-160 is completed online at the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC). Note: Citizens of Visa Waiver Countries do not need to complete this form (see additional information in the “Obtaining a Visa” section below).
Proof of sufficient funds to cover travel, accommodation and expenses during the stay (e.g., bank statements, financial records).
Proof of ties to your home country (e.g., employment letters, property documents, family ties).
Travel itinerary, including confirmed flight and hotel bookings.

VMX International Travelers visa

Obtaining a Visa

Confirm your visa requirements based on your citizenship and the purpose of your visit.

The first step is to determine whether you qualify for the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) or whether a B-1/B-2 visa is necessary. Visit the U.S. Department of State’s visa page. Their Visa Wizard tool is designed to help you determine your visa eligibility.
Not all countries require a visa to enter the United States. The U.S. has a program that allows citizens of certain countries—currently, there are 42 Visa Waiver countries—to enter the U.S. for tourism or business purposes (stays of 90 days or less) without needing a traditional visa. You must have an e-Passport with an embedded electronic chip to use the VWP. Whether traveling by air or sea, VWP travelers must obtain an approved Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) before arriving in the U.S. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is phasing out ink stamps in passports, and instead, the electronic Form I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record) is the official documentation of an international traveler’s arrival, class of admission, and authorized length of stay. CBP typically issues electronic I-94s at the port of entry for air and sea travelers. Verify all information on your I-94 is correct, including your name, date of birth and passport details. You can access and print your I-94 record through the CBP website or the CBP One mobile app.
Travelers with a passport from any other country must obtain a B1 non-immigrant U.S. visa or B2 U.S. Visitor Visa in advance. If it is necessary for you to obtain a visa, you can find relevant information about the application process on the U.S. Department of State Business Visa Center. Individuals traveling on valid visas are not required to apply for an ESTA.
Schedule a visa interview at the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Be prepared to answer questions about the purpose of your visit and return intentions. Some consulates may have a backlog in scheduling visa interviews. Applicants should consult the U.S. Department of State’s visa appointment and processing wait times website. We encourage all international attendees to apply for their visa at least 4 months in advance of the conference. It is important to thoroughly review all information on the specific Embassy or Consulate Visa Section website for local procedures and instructions, such as how to make an interview appointment. Requirements vary from country to country—to learn more, visit the U.S. Department of State’s complete list of U.S. Embassies and Consulates.
You may also want to enroll in the free Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive email alerts and updates from the U.S. Embassy.

Obtaining a Letter of Invitation

In our experience, the U.S. visa application process requires proof of payment as proof of intent to participate in the conference. Without it, the likelihood of visa approval can be significantly jeopardized.

An official Letter of Invitation to obtain a Visa and authorization to attend VMX will be issued ONLY after a completed Registration Form and full payment have been received. Please contact our registration department at [email protected] for further information.
Should your visa application be denied, and you have given adequate time for processing from your country; a full refund on registration fees will be given.
A picture of the details page with a photo from your passport, postal mailing address, phone number and profession are required to complete the Letter of Invitation.

VMX International travelers in Orlando

Plan for Getting Around and Staying in Orlando

Arranging your transportation and accommodation will help you have a smooth and enjoyable visit to Orlando.

Consider travel insurance as it can offer peace of mind and protect against unforeseen circumstances such as medical emergencies or trip cancellations.
Exchange currency before you leave or use a low-fee travel card: Banks and credit unions often provide better exchange rates and lower fees compared to airport kiosks or tourist-area exchange services.
Inform your bank and credit card companies of your travel plans: This can help prevent your cards from being blocked due to suspicious international activity.
Keep important documents secure: Carry your passport, visa and other crucial documents in your carry-on luggage, rather than checked baggage.
Mears Transportation offers services between Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Disney World resorts, including shuttles and black car service.
If you need transportation while visiting the City of Orlando, LYMMO is a free bus rapid transit (BRT) circulator that operates throughout downtown Orlando.
Shuttle bus service is provided between VMX hotels and the convention center. Pedestrian bridges connect surrounding hotels to the OCCC.
The City of Orlando has implemented the HOPR bike share program, with hundreds of dockless bikes available throughout the area, including near the Civic Center.
Hotel bookings should be made through the official NAVC website to ensure guaranteed reservations. Our three award-winning host hotels—the Hilton Orlando, the Hyatt Regency Orlando and the Rosen Centre Hotel—are all within walking distance to the Orange County Convention Center. Once you are registered, you will receive an email with instructions for booking your hotel accommodation.

Attending VMX

Whether you’ve attended before or you’re a first-timer, VMX offers unparalleled access to the latest in veterinary medicine, from advancements in small and exotic animal care to large animal health and practice management strategies. The VMX 2026 Educational Program has topics and learning venue options for every veterinary professional, including an educational track in Spanish. It is, after all, the world’s largest and most comprehensive veterinary conference and expo. Here are some tips for having a seamless experience at VMX:

• Get Your Badge Early: Avoid long lines by picking it up before the first day that CE sessions begin.

• Download the VMX Conference App: The app allows you to manage your schedule, receive real-time event information with app notifications, get interactive maps of the Orange County Convention Center, track your CE and more.

• Plan Your Sessions: Choose a few sessions for each time slot to stay on track. Engage in sessions tailored to your specialty.

Please Note: The NAVC is closely following the implementation of new U.S. immigration fees that will affect foreign nationals. One of the new provisions is the “visa integrity fee,” a $250 charge that will be added to every nonimmigrant visa issuance, including B-1/B-2 visa applicants (first-time and renewals). Travelers from China, Mexico, India, Brazil and other non-Visa Waiver Program countries will be most affected. The fee is imposed in addition to existing visa application fees, reciprocity fees and other charges. It will be collected during the visa issuance process, after the application has been approved (there is no charge if the application is denied). The fee is intended as a refundable security deposit to incentivize compliance with visa rules (such as avoiding unauthorized work). However, details on the refund process are still being clarified. Please note: As of October 2025, no clear implementation date has been announced. It remains unclear whether the fee will apply to visas issued after July 4, 2025, or only after formal implementation. The Congressional Budget Office projects that only “a small number of people would seek reimbursement” and expects that “the DOS [Department of State] would need several years to implement a process for providing reimbursements.” Beginning in fiscal year 2026, the fee will increase annually based on the Consumer Price Index.

Questions? Check out our VMX customer support page for answers to attendees’ most frequently asked questions about registration, accommodations, shuttle services, the Orange County Convention Center, and more!