Information

MEETING ADMINISTRATORS
For all enquiries regarding registration, advertisements, exhibitions as well as scientific, general and social programmes please contact:
Anne-Marie Moolman
ICAN 2012 Conference, PO Box 19063, 7505 Tygerberg, South Africa,
TEL:  +27 83 791 7711
FAX: +27 (0) 86 235 7716
E-MAIL: ican@sun.ac.za
 
LANGUAGE
The official language of the conference will be English.  No simultaneous translation service will be provided.
 
EXHIBITIONS
Exhibitors will be located in the Atlantic North & Atlantic Exhibition floor in The Pavilion Conference centre.     Companies and suppliers will exhibit their latest innovations in the Infection field, give demonstrations and will be available to answer questions.  You will have ample opportunity to visit the exhibitions during refreshment breaks.

ADMISSION NAMETAGS
Conference nametags must be worn by all participants at all times during the conference and on all conference premises. Nametags should also be worn when attending the events of the social program. Only participants or accompanying persons wearing their conference nametags will be admitted to the scientific sessions and the social events.

CREDIT CARDS
International Visa , MasterCard  & American Express credit cards are generally accepted throughout South Africa.  Holders of other cards are advised to clarify with a commercial bank whether their card is acceptable in South Africa.

INTERNATIONAL DELEGATES

VISA INFORMATION
NB! - ALL VISITORS (irrespective of whether they need a visa or not) MUST have 2 adjacent blank pages in their passports, which must be valid for 6 months after their departure from South Africa. These pages must be entitled “Visas”. (Note that some passports have an “Endorsement” page, often towards the end, which is not valid for this purpose). This requirement is strictly enforced.

Visitors’ visas are required for international travellers who have permanent residence outside South Africa and who wish to visit the country on a temporary basis for tourism or business purposes for a period of 90 days or less.

Requirements for visitor’s visas differ from country to country (click here to see which countries are currently exempt) and the requirements are subject to change. As each application is treated as an individual case, you should make enquiries with your nearest South African mission or consulate abroad or any office of the Department of Home Affairs to see whether or not you are required to apply for a visa. Remember that there is a fee charged for issuing a visa, and you should check the cost with the office as well, as this is updated annually. The fee is payable in different currencies in different countries.

Visas for people attending a conference in South Africa

• Normal procedures must be followed for applying for a visitor’s visa (Form BI-84 - click here to download form)
• The application for a visa must be supported by a letter of invitation for the conference 
• The conference organizer will notify the Department of Home Affairs that the conference is taking place - giving all the relevant details and a list of delegates, if possible 
• The Department of Home Affairs will then notify all South Africa representatives abroad, authorising them to issue visas to the delegates providing that:
  o   nothing detrimental is known about the delegate, and that
  o   all visitor visa requirements are met
  

All delegates from outside Africa are encouraged to take an inter-continental flight directly into Cape Town or Johannesburg on well-known carriers or their alliance partners.

Important documents
Make two copies of all your important documents, like passports. Take one with you, in a different bag to the original, and leave one at home with a responsible, easily reachable person. Try to memorise all your important numbers - passport numbers, credit card numbers, etc – or store them securely (some smartphones have “password keeper” applications). If you lose your bag, this could be an enormous help.

INSURANCE
The congress organizers cannot accept liability for personal injuries sustained, or for loss of, or damage to, property belonging to congress participants (or their accompanying persons), either during or as a result of the congress.  Please check the validity of your own insurance.

CURRENCY INFO
The currency in South Africa is the South African Rand. The South African Rand are the only legal tender in South Africa and can be used freely to purchase goods and services in the country.  Traveller's cheques and foreign currency can be exchanged at any of the commercial banks, which are well represented throughout the country.
Please note that the Conference Organisers cannot accept any other currency other than South African Rand.  It is advisable to change currency either at the airport or at your hotel.  Please confirm with your hotel if they have this facility.
For current exchange rates click here