<div dir="ltr">Dear All<div><br></div><div>We have been sent an explanation from ICANN Org via Nick Tomasso who is the Vice President of Global Meeting Operations (below) about our current At-Large issue relating to visa applications and rejections. I hope that this alleviates concerns people may have about what is being done by ICANN to support their applications. This is to support not only applications for Montreal but also looking ahead to other meetings you may wish to apply.</div><div><br></div><div>If you have had a rejection letter, please apply again and as Etienne explained in his message to his colleagues, respond to the reasons that they have given for their rejection of your application. This may require some proof of your employment and some indication of the importance of returning home after the ICANN meeting, plus a download of any involvement you already have in ICANN - anything that you can provide to persuade the government of your reason for wanting to be at the ICANN meeting and how you aim to carry out ICANN's work in your community on your return to your homeland. I hope that this, and what ICANN is already doing, helps.</div><div><br></div><div>Regards</div><div>Maureen<br><br><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">---------- Forwarded message ---------<br>From: <strong class="gmail_sendername" dir="auto">Nick Tomasso</strong> <span dir="auto"><<a href="mailto:nick.tomasso@icann.org">nick.tomasso@icann.org</a>></span><br>Date: Tue, Oct 1, 2019 at 8:59 AM<br>Subject: Visa Issues - ICANN66 in Montreal<br>To: Maureen Hilyard <<a href="mailto:maureen.hilyard@gmail.com">maureen.hilyard@gmail.com</a>><br>Cc: Goran Marby <<a href="mailto:goran.marby@icann.org">goran.marby@icann.org</a>>, Leon Sanchez <<a href="mailto:leon.sanchez@board.icann.org">leon.sanchez@board.icann.org</a>>, David Olive <<a href="mailto:david.olive@icann.org">david.olive@icann.org</a>>, Sally Costerton <<a href="mailto:sally.costerton@icann.org">sally.costerton@icann.org</a>>, Heidi Ullrich <<a href="mailto:Heidi.Ullrich@icann.org">Heidi.Ullrich@icann.org</a>>, Joseph de Jesus <<a href="mailto:joseph.dejesus@icann.org">joseph.dejesus@icann.org</a>>, Josh Baulch <<a href="mailto:josh.baulch@icann.org">josh.baulch@icann.org</a>><br></div><br><br>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Dear Maureen,</span><u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"> </span><u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Thank you for bringing forward the concerns of some funded travelers regarding securing visas for ICANN66 in Montreal.</span><u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"> </span><u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">I would like to brief you our visa processes, and next steps.</span><u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"> </span><u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">The Travel Services and Meetings teams have been working diligently on visas for Montreal. Prior to selecting Montreal as the location for ICANN66, we laid the groundwork to ensure the visa process would
be as smooth as possible by working with our partners in Canada … Tourism Montreal and the Special Events Unit of NHQ Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. We advised them of the importance of all delegates receiving visas; advised them of the geographic
make-up of ICANN meeting delegates; gained their commitment to put special processes in place to give the highest level of consideration to visa requests from ICANN delegates; and ensured that they would publicize our meeting with Canadian embassies and consulates.
They, in turn, provided us with a single point of contact to escalate visa issues; communicated with embassies and consulates; and created a special event code for ICANN66, which was provided to our travelers for inclusion in their visa applications. We then
engaged our visa agency, NewlandChase, to assist funded travelers with their visa applications.</span><u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"> </span><u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Joseph has reached out to all funded travelers on their visa application status. As predicted, some have received denials … 13 to be exact. It is not unusual to see this number of visa denials for an ICANN
Meeting anywhere in the world.</span><u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"> </span><u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Joseph has now triggered the next phase of the visa process, which is:</span><u></u><u></u></p>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc">
<li class="m_2914918759082181446MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Determine if those denied would like to re-apply, and provide support as necessary. </span><u></u><u></u></li><li class="m_2914918759082181446MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Engage with our Canadian partners, as mentioned above, and seek their support to reconsider the visa denials.</span><u></u><u></u></li></ul>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"> </span><u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Canada has an efficient and transparent visa process, so travelers know exactly what to do and expect when applying for a Canadian visa. ICANN Org and our local host cannot guarantee that all applicants will
receive their Canada visas, which may depend on many factors that are outside of our control, for example:</span><u></u><u></u></p>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc">
<li class="m_2914918759082181446MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Not being able to show proof of financial solvency</span><u></u><u></u></li><li class="m_2914918759082181446MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Not being able to show proof that they will return back to their home country, i.e., home ties</span><u></u><u></u></li><li class="m_2914918759082181446MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Country diplomatic issues</span><u></u><u></u></li><li class="m_2914918759082181446MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Not following the visa application procedures as outlined</span><u></u><u></u></li><li class="m_2914918759082181446MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0in"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Applying late</span><u></u><u></u></li></ul>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black"> </span><u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Joseph, as usual, will keep a watchful eye on the visa issues.</span><u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"> </span><u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">If you have a<span style="color:black">ny questions</span>, please do not hesitate to contact me.</span><u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black"> </span><u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black">Best,</span><u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black"> </span><u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black">Nick</span><u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Helvetica Neue""> </span><u></u><u></u></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;color:black">==========================================</span><span style="color:black"><u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;color:black">Nick Tomasso<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;color:black">Vice President, Global Meeting Operations</span><span style="color:black"><u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;color:black">Managing Director - Middle East & Africa - Istanbul</span><span style="color:black"><u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;color:black">ICANN</span><span style="color:black"><u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;color:black">Mobile TR: +90 533 341 65 50</span><span style="color:black"><u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;color:black">Mobile US: +1 310 630 7730</span><span style="color:black"><u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;color:black">email: <a href="mailto:nick.tomasso@icann.org" title="mailto:nick.tomasso@icann.org" target="_blank"><span style="color:purple">nick.tomasso@icann.org</span></a></span><span style="color:black"><u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;color:black">web: <a href="http://www.icann.org" target="_blank">www.icann.org</a></span><span style="color:black"><u></u><u></u></span></p>
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