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29th IAEA Fusion Energy Conference (FEC 2023) - Logistics and FAQ
Logistics and FAQ
Conference Venue
The 29th Fusion Energy Conference (FEC2023) will be held at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre in London, United Kingdom. The Conference will be organized by the IAEA and hosted by the Government of the United Kingdom through the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA).
On-site Registration
To avoid long queues, participants are encouraged to register in person on Sunday, 15 October 2023, from 3:00pm to 6:00pm. Registration will be available on Monday, 16 October 2023 from 7:30 am and throughout the conference.
Registration will take place in the lobby, located at the entrance of the QEII Centre. Upon your arrival you will be directed to the registration desks on the left-hand side. To make this process as quick as possible you will be sent a QR code prior to the event. Please have this QR code to hand either on your mobile device or a printed copy. You will then use one of the kiosks to scan your QR code and your badge will print. Staff will be available should you require any assistance. For security reasons, badges must always be worn inside the conference venue.
Accommodation
London is a busy and exciting city and affordable accommodation books up early. We recommend you book your accommodation as soon as you know you will be coming to FEC 2023.
We have held rooms at reasonable rates around the QEII. Please note some of these hotels will require the use of public transport to get to the venue.
Lunch
The QEII Is situated right in the middle of Westminster, which is a fantastic setting for FEC 2023. However, places to eat and drink around the QEII are very limited.
We have arranged with the venue for you to be able to purchase lunch in advance to ensure you can maximise your breaks for networking and posters.
For the venue to know how many they are catering for, all lunches must be pre-ordered and pre-paid.
All Lunch tickets must be purchased before the event, unfortunately you won't be able to buy them onsite.
The deadline for purchasing lunch tickets is Sunday, 8th October.
Visa Information
Whether you need to apply for a visa to travel to the UK depends on your nationality and passport that you hold. Normally only ‘visa nationals’ must have a visa before visiting the UK. ‘Non-visa nationals’ can visit the UK without having to get a visa before travelling.
You can check if you require a visa for the UK using the tool on this website. You can also find the UK visa national list on the GOV.UK website:Immigration Rules Appendix Visitor: Visa national list
If you are a visa national, unless you already have existing permission to enter or stay in the UK, or an existing visa valid for your trip, you must apply for a visa before you travel to the UK. You can read more about applying for a UK Visitor visa here.
If you are a non-visa national, you do not have to apply for a visa to travel to the UK for the conference. On your arrival in the UK, you may be asked questions about your reasons for travel. It might help a Border Force officer if you take in your hand luggage your confirmation of registration and any other documents confirming your attendance at the conference.
Exempt
The following cohorts will be exempt from UK immigration control to attend the 29th IAEA Fusion Energy Conference (FEC 2023):
- a representative of a member country of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
- an official of the IAEA
- an individual designated as an expert by the IAEA to attend the conference in an official capacity, having successfully registered with them
If you are a non-visa national, you do not need to apply for an exempt vignette to travel to the UK.
If you are a visa national, even though you are exempt from immigration control, you are strongly encouraged to apply for an exempt vignette, which is free of charge. An exempt vignette (a sticker in your passport) will confirm your exempt status and will facilitate and ease your travel to the UK and across the UK border.
How to apply for an Exempt vignette
To obtain an exempt vignette you must complete an application form online and make an appointment for you, or your representative, to attend a visa application centre (VAC) to submit your passport. You can choose to upload any supporting documents free of charge prior to submitting your passport at the VAC or can ask the VAC staff to scan supporting documents for an additional fee.
Go to this page on GOV.UK for more information and a link to the online application form: Get an exempt vignette
If you are exempt because you have been invited to attend FEC 2023, after entering your visa application centre location, choose “On an official visit to the UK” (a member of certain international organisations on an official visit to the UK).
To support your application, we strongly advise that you submit a copy of your registration to attend FEC 2023.
If you are a family member forming part of the household such as the spouse/civil partner, or a dependent child who is either below school age or aged up to and including 25 and in full time education of someone who is registered to attend the FEC 2023, you will also be exempt and, if a visa national, can apply for an exempt vignette. You should also choose “On an official visit to the UK”.
If you are travelling with someone who is registered to attend the FEC 2023 and not registered yourself or are not a family member forming part of the household as explained above of the registered attendee, and are a visa national you must apply for a visitor visa.
Application processing time
Applications normally take up to 3 weeks to process from the point you submit your passport at a visa application centre. You can find the current processing times at: Visa processing times: applications outside the UK. We strongly recommend you make your application (including for any exempt vignette), as early as possible and up to 3 months before you plan to travel to the UK.
Satellite Meeting Rooms
Satellite Meeting Rooms can be reserved during the conference. Booking requests should be submitted by sending an email to FEC2023@ukaea.uk.
Conference Web Pages
Participants are encouraged to visit these web pages regularly to check for new or updated information regarding the conference.
Conference Materials will be made available on the IAEA INDICO.
Conference App
The IAEA Conferences and Meetings App provides a one-stop access to information on the Conference, exhibitions and scheduled side events. The app also allows users to put together their own personalized schedule of events. Via this app participants will be able to view contributed papers and the latest conference programme, message other participants, and view PowerPoint presentations released after the event. Participants will receive an email inviting them to register for the app approximately one week before the conference.
For iPhone or iPad users, get your free download through the Apple iTunes Store; those with Android devices can visit the Google Play Store.