If you come from a “complicated” country, in order to have a VISA you will need to prove the following to the immigration

• You are rich enough to take care of yourself during your stay.
• You are going to leave the country at the end of your stay.

Note also the following:

• Your social networks are going to be checked.
• Any official rules might be broken by border patrol.
• Having a VISA can take a long time (months).

Check the website of the Embassy of the country you are going to.

You should apply to the VISA at least 1 month before your trip, it might take longer you might want to apply much before (3 months or more in some cases).

You have to prove how you are handling your life for the past 3-6 months

• Bank account for the last 6 months
• Photocopies of all the previous VISA from Europe and US
• Invitation letter from your hosting institution, sometime already sent to the
• Any other document proving that you are not planning to settle here
• Proof of accommodation (hotel reservation - non refundable -, a letter from someone “responsible of you”)
• Health insurance

Check if your country is on the ESTA list: Official ESTA List

You can ask for a VISA here: evisa. Depending from where you come from, it can take from a few weeks, a few months up to 1 year.

Situation especially for trans people dangerous. For VISA, the birth-assigned gender counts and X entries are not allowed. For situation inside specific states (after obtaining VISA), check here.

Check this report from Amnesty International Amnesty International (do we have an English version?)