[FOSDEM] more problems with visa letters

[Daniel Pocock]

On 25/01/16 15:23, Karanbir Singh wrote:
> On 25/01/16 08:55, Wouter Verhelst wrote:
>> On Thu, Jan 21, 2016 at 11:54:01AM +0100, Daniel Pocock wrote:
>>> That message wasn't asking them to do such a thing, it was only written out
>>> of respect for those contributors to our community who either can't attend or
>>> have to waste a significant amount of time and energy on such things in order
>>> to do so.
>> Be that as it may, we (FOSDEM) are not going to put ourselves at risk of
>> legal problems just so we can make it easier for people to attend.
>>
>> If we *can* make it easier for people to attend *without* putting FOSDEM
>> vzw at risk of legal repercussions in case a person we don't actually
>> know disappears, we will do so. Writing formal invitation letters from
>> an automated website doesn't fit that bill, however.
> As a holder of an Indian passport, I've never had a problem attending
> Fosdem ( 7 so far! ). Except for the one year when I tried to use a
> sponsored / invited visa. That was far more painful for everyone
> involved, than just asking for a tourist visa on the cultural tickbox (
> and supporting it with Fosdem's details ).

Were you always employed when applying for a visa?  I've heard that
people who are self-employed or students feel more discriminated against.

In this case, the developers had requested the exemption from the visa
fee on the basis that:
a) they are attending a cultural event
b) the organizer is a non-profit association

Both submitted an invitation letter from another organization.

One of them was asked to provide more proof of a connection with FOSDEM.

Both received their visa at the end of last week

I understand the reservations people have about formal invitation
letters, there was some discussion off-list as well and it appears that
some of these visa queries could be resolved by simply giving people
entry tickets for FOSDEM.  Registration for such entry tickets could
still be optional.  Nonetheless, it would eliminate the need for the
developer to waste another phone call or visit to the embassy.

Regards,

Daniel