Join the Global GI Community
DDW Administration’s goal is to make international attendees’ entire experience as hassle-free and rewarding as possible. All sessions will be conducted in English. Bilingual personnel (Spanish/English) will be on-site at the information booths.
If you are attending DDW from a country requiring a visa, please be sure to apply early and complete all required fields. Applications may be denied if necessary information is not included when submitted.
International Housing
International Group Housing (DDW IGH) will offer all-inclusive housing packages for international groups of five or more sleeping rooms. When you book using DDW IGH, you will have access to a host of exclusive benefits, including:
- Packages including room, breakfast, taxes, porterage, gratuities, shuttle service (as per official schedule) and group help assistance.
- Lowest official hotel rates.
- Preferred hotels guaranteed once booked.
- Dedicated multilingual meetings and conventions manager from online to on site.
- Four international offices offering live chat and technical support in your time zone.
- Help facilitating visa processing and the dissemination of official authority letters.
Visa Waiver Program (VWP) Information
The U.S. Visa Waiver Program (VWP) allows citizens and nationals from 38 countries to travel to and enter the U.S. for business or visitor purposes for up to 90 days without obtaining a visa. Please review the U.S. Department of State website to stay up to date with important government announcements.
VWP Requirements
- As of April 1, 2016, you must have an e-passport to use the VWP. An e-Passport is an enhanced secure passport with an embedded electronic chip. You can readily identify an e-Passport, because it has a unique international symbol on the cover.
- All eligible travelers who wish to travel under the VWP must apply for authorization using the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) website.
ESTA is an automated system used to determine the eligibility of visitors to travel to the U.S. under the VWP. It collects the same information as the paper I-94W form that VWP travelers currently fill out en route to the U.S. ESTA applications may be completed online and submitted at any time prior to travel, though it is recommended that travelers apply when they begin preparing travel plans.
An ESTA authorization generally will be valid for up to two years. Authorizations will be valid for multiple entries into the U.S. DHS recommends that ESTA applications be submitted as soon as an applicant begins making travel plans.
Visa Information
Some participants from outside the U.S. will need to apply for a visa at the American Embassy, Consulate or other visa-issuing office in their country of origin. To obtain a visa you will need a letter of invitation, a valid passport, a photo ID and a completed Form DS 156 (nonimmigrant visa application form).
A visa is not required for visitors from countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program. Currently, 34 countries are enrolled. For more information about visa requirements, how to apply for a visa or the Visa Waiver Program, visit the “Visas for Foreign Citizens” section of the U.S. Department of State website. Use the Visa Wizard as a guide to help foreign citizens understand which visa category might be appropriate for their travel to the U.S.
Italian Attendees
DDW has designated Marben Srl (in collaboration with DDW International Group Housing) to act as delegate by proxy to collect all applications from the Italian Pharmaceutical companies and file them with the local Ministry of Health. Marben Srl will act as the intermediate institution between the Italian companies and the Italian Ministry of Health. For information, please contact Nicole Napolitano at [email protected].
Visa Application Tips
- Due to longer than usual visa processing times, if you are planning to come to DDW, we recommend applying for your visa as early as possible. Use our invitation letter generator to help you start the process.
- Attaching evidence of your previous visits to DDW may help the application processing time. To request a receipt from a previous DDW, please contact [email protected].
- Attaching evidence of your intended return trip to your home country can shorten the application processing time.
Partnerships Around the World
DDW’s sponsoring societies partner with international GI societies to provide the latest updates on the field at DDW. Select sessions at DDW 2023 will be presented in non-English languages.
Saturday, May 6, 2023
| 4 p.m. | AGA—APAGE Joint Symposium |
| 4-5:30 p.m. | |
| Sponsored by the AGA International Subcommittee |
Sunday, May 7, 2023
| 10 a.m. | AGA Institute-Rome Foundation Lectureship — Do Changes in Intestinal Permeability Translate Into Clinical Symptoms and Treatments in Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction? |
| 10-11:30 a.m. | |
| Sponsored by the Rome Foundation. | |
| 4 p.m. | IBD Care in a Post-COVID World |
| 4-5:30 p.m. | |
| Sponsored by The Cochrane Gut Group |
Monday, May 8, 2023
| 4 p.m. | The Key to Optimal Patient Care: Good Clinician-Pathologist Communication |
| 4-5:30 p.m. | |
| Sponsored by the Rodger C. Haggitt GI Pathology Society. |
Tuesday, May 9, 2023
| 7:30 a.m. | SSAT and ISDS Symposium |
| 7:30-8:30 a.m. | |
| 10 a.m. | AGA-CSG: Best of DDW in Chinese |
| 10-11:30 a.m. | |
| Sponsored by The AGA International Subcommittee. | |
| AGA’s Lo Mejor de DDW (Spanish) | |
| 10-11:30 a.m. | |
| Sponsored by The AGA International Subcommittee. | |
| AGA’s O Melhor da DDW (Portuguese) | |
| 10-11:30 a.m. | |
| Sponsored by The AGA International Subcommittee. |
More Travel Details
Invitation Letter Generator
Generate an invitation letter to help with your Visa application.
Getting to San Diego
San Diego offers many transportation options for traveling to and around the city.
San Diego Awaits
San Diego is soaked in culture, 70+ miles of sparkling coastline and a vibrant downtown.
International Housing
International Group Housing (DDW IGH) will offer all-inclusive housing packages for international groups of five or more sleeping rooms. When you book using DDW IGH, you will have access to a host of exclusive benefits, including:
- Packages including room, breakfast, taxes, porterage, gratuities, shuttle service (as per official schedule) and group help assistance.
- Lowest official hotel rates.
- Preferred hotels guaranteed once booked.
- Dedicated multilingual meetings and conventions manager from online to on site.
- Four international offices offering live chat and technical support in your time zone.
- Help facilitating visa processing and the dissemination of official authority letters.
