Accommodation and Visa Information
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For more information about this workshop, please see MSRI’s web page http://www.msri.org/calendar/workshops/WorkshopInfo/410/show_workshop and, if you have not already done so, please register on-line.
MSRI asks that you make your own accommodation arrangements, and we recommend that you do this as soon as possible, as rooms book up quickly in Berkeley.
A block of rooms at the Hotel Durant has been put on hold by MSRI for your convenience. Please contact the hotel directly to make your reservation via phone: (510) 845-8981, or e- mail: [email protected] . Mention the workshop name and refer to confirmation code: P50000 while making reservations. The cut-off date for reservations is January 5, 2007.
The Rose Garden Inn is also holding a block of rooms for us. Reservations may be made by calling 1-800-992-9005 OR visiting their website at: http://www.rosegardeninn.com/. Click on Corporate at the bottom of the screen and when prompted enter code MATH (this code is not case sensitive). By using this code a new calendar will appear and will show MSRI rates on all room types available. The following Group Code should be entered in the "Comment" field when booking through the Website. Group Code: CGMS36. Please note: The Original Queen room type does not have an in-room T1 connection, but WIFI is available in the main lobby area. The cut-off date for reservations is January 8, 2007. After the cut-off dates, these rooms will be released to the public. Information about other hotels in the area can be found on MSRI’s website http://www.msri.org/about/visitors/housing/index_html.
Please visit http://www.msri.org/about/visitors/index_html for general information about visiting MSRI such as local maps, local transportation options and recreation opportunities. Both the workshop organizers and MSRI staff can be contacted by email at [email protected], in case you have any questions.
Many of MSRI’s short-term visitors receive travel reimbursement and/or per diem expenses. If you are not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, in order for MSRI to process your reimbursement forms you will need to present proper documentation to verify that you entered the U.S. in an acceptable visa status. The tourist classification (B-2 visa or WT) DOES NOT allow for payment of any kind, including travel and expenses reimbursement.
If you are a foreign national entering the U.S. from abroad, unless you are eligible for the Visa Waiver Program, you will need to apply for a Visitor Visa, B-1 business classification, which allows for short visits for usual academic activities such as workshops and for reimbursement of travel and local expenses. You need to obtain the B-1 designation on your I-94 card at the entry inspection. If you are eligible for the Visa Waiver Program, you must obtain the WB designation (Waiver for Business) on your I-94 card at entry. For more information about the B-1, Visitor Visa, as well as information on the Visa Waiver Program, please refer to http://www.msri.org/propapps/visa_information/index_html.
If you are currently an international student or scholar at a U.S. institution, please be prepared to provide your passport and supporting visa documents for review. We will need to make copies of the following documents:
• Passport biographical page • Visa stamp (unless waiver program participant or Canadian citizen) • Entry stamp from your passport • I-94 card • Supporting documents: I-20ID (for F1 visa holders, pages 1-3 of the document) or DS- 2019 (for J1 visa holders). J-1 Scholars/Professors should provide a letter from their J-1 sponsor authorizing the visit and reimbursement if applicable.
Reimbursement forms will be available during the workshop. We ask that you come prepared to pay for your lodging and other expenses. We will mail you a check a few weeks after we receive the completed reimbursement forms from you. Please note that the deadline for submitting reimbursement forms is February 16, 2007.