Attend in Yokohama, Japan
15-20 June 2024

Apply now for your travel visa or Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)

Most people need a visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to travel to Canada – not both. Some people may only need their valid passport.

Find out what travel documents you need by visiting the Canadian government visa page.

SPIE recommends that you secure your travel visa before registering for the conference as cancellations after the preregistration cutoff may result in a cancellation fee.

In this Section

COVID-19 vaccination requirements

To qualify as a fully vaccinated traveller to Canada, you must:

  • have received at least 2 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine accepted for travel, a mix of 2 accepted vaccines
    • or at least 1 dose of the Janssen/Johnson & Johnson vaccine
  • have received your second dose at least 14 calendar days before you enter Canada
    • Example: if your second dose was anytime on Thursday, July 1, then Thursday, July 15 would be the first day that you meet the 14-day condition
  • have no signs or symptoms of COVID-19
  • upload proof of vaccination in ArriveCAN
    • complete your ArriveCAN submission and have ArriveCAN receipt with letter I, V, or A beside your name

If you don’t qualify as fully vaccinated, find out if you can enter Canada.

Pre-entry testing (accepted types, timing)

Pre-entry tests are not required for fully vaccinated travellers entering Canada by land, air, or water. You must still use ArriveCAN within 72 hours before your arrival to Canada.

As of April 25, 2022:
Unvaccinated and partially vaccinated children under the age of 12 are no longer required to provide a valid pre-entry test result, if they are accompanying a fully vaccinated adult.

Children who are less than 5 years old are not required to test, regardless of their vaccination status.

How to request an invitation letter

  • Invitation Letter Request Form for authors and attendees
    • For authors, chairs, conference attendees, and accompanying family members requiring a letter of invitation from SPIE to obtain a travel visa to participate in the conference
  • Exhibitor Invitation Letter Request Form
    • For exhibitors requiring a letter of invitation from SPIE to obtain a travel visa to participate in the exhibition
  • Please fill out a separate invitation letter request form for each person requesting a letter
  • Family members accompanying you can be added to your invitation letter; include their name, passport number, date of birth, and relationship to you on the invitation letter request form
  • Your name must be listed exactly as it appears on your passport. Any differences between the name on your passport and the name on your invitation letter or other documentation could lead to a delay and/or denial of your visa.
  • You will receive an email from "noreply@mail.smapply.net" with a link to download a PDF of your official invitation letter after it is approved and processed. You should also make sure that the sites listed here, are allowed by your organization to ensure you receive the email.
  • Expect up to three weeks to receive the PDF copy of your invitation letter by email, and additional time to receive the original letter by post. Letters can be mailed if requested.
  • SPIE is unable to contact government embassies in support of an individual attempting to gain entry to attend an SPIE meeting
  • We recommend that you secure your travel visa before registering for the conference as cancellations after the preregistration cutoff may result in a cancellation fee

Resources

Additional information about travel to Canada can be found on the Canadian government travel, testing, and borders page.

The Canadian government uses the ArriveCAN app to process proof of vaccination and traveler identity