COLM 2025 Visa Information

COLM 2025 will be held in Montreal Canada from October 7th to 10th, 2025. Our visa process will be similar to the NeurIPS 2024 visa policy, and this document is adapted from their process.

We do not work with any booking agencies, only request your visa letter from this site

Find out if you need a visa to travel to Canada.

If you do need a visa to enter Canada follow the steps below, Please read this page carefully because there are updates to the visa process.

1. Purchase a in-person registration to COLM. These will go on sale in April 2025.
2. Fill out the COLM visa form.
3. Submit your Canadian Visa Application. See the details below.
4. Return to the COLM visa form page and enter your legal name, the country that issued your passport, and your Canadian visa application number.
   Failure to complete this step may impact your ability to enter Canada.

As required by Canada we will be submitting reports to Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) with your registration email, your legal name, the country that issued your passport and your Canadian visa application number

Visa Application

For more information about the visa application processes, see: Visit Canada and this information letter..

If you need for a visa, apply online through the IRCC Secure Network.

Make sure you complete all parts of your application. A common reason for visa denial in previous years has been the submission of an incomplete application.

Biometric Instructions

If you need to submit biometrics IRCC will issued you a Biometric Instructions Letter (BIL). You will need to complete your biometrics before the IRCC can begin processing your application.

Information Disclosure

Your information will be shared with the IRCC to identify and coordinate the processing of visa applications. See the Privacy Act for details.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Can I cancel my registration if my visa is denied?

Yes; see the details in our cancellation policy below.

Who should I list as the Point of Contact on the visa application?

Use the contact information for the Conference on Language Modeling given in their COLM visa invitation letter.

Where can I find the Special Event Code?

The code is available in the visa invitation letter

What should I put as the Purpose of my visit

Select: Other

When & where should I apply for my visa?

If you require a visa to travel to the Canada, we recommend starting the application process as soon as you know that you will attend COLM, as the wait time for the mandatory in-person visa appointment can be highly variable.

What should I bring to my visa interview?

The IRCC provides guidance on required documentation for a visitor visa interview. Please also check the specific requirements of the embassy or consulate that will conduct your interview.

Beyond required documents, you may be able to provide supplemental supporting documents online and/or in a visa interview, subject to the procedure of the specific embassy or consulate. Supplemental supporting documents should aid in establishing your residence and ties abroad and thus your ability and intent to leave Canada after the visit. Examples of such supporting documents include:

• Invitation letter: The invitation letter issued to you by COLM.
• Travel plan: Complete itinerary of your intended travel, including booking confirmation of a return flight and of accommodation during your stay.
• Financial support: Evidence of ability to pay for the trip or confirmation of funding provided for flights, accommodation, food, and incidental costs.
• Continuing status: Official documentation to prove you are a student, post-doc, or employee and that you will return to your country/region of residence for continuing studies or employment; evidence of familial ties in your country/region of residence.

If I receive a visa am I guaranteed to be able to enter Canada to attend COLM?

Unfortunately, it is possible that the immigration officer that processes your entry into Canada (usually, at the airport after landing in Canada) may require you to undergo a secondary interview to make an immigration determination. Please travel prepared for this possibility, and carry on your person the same evidence you presented at your visa appointment, including a printed copy of your COLM invitation letter.

Cancellation Policy

Registration Cancellation Policy

Registrations canceled before Sept 06, 2025 will receive a full refund. Refunds will be issued to your credit card, and may take up to 10 business days to appear on your statement. Registrations cannot be canceled or refunded after this date.

Registration refunds due to visa issues

If your visa is denied before Sept 06, 2025, you may use the standard cancellation policy detailed above to cancel and refund your registration in full.

After Sept 06, 2025, your full conference registration can be refunded if the following conditions are satisfied:

• you applied for your visa by Jul. 16, 2025; and
• you are unable to attend the conference in person because your visa was denied or you have not received a response.

To request such a refund, you must submit a request using our contact form within one week of the close of the meeting, and include documentation showing the date you applied for a visa.

Registrations are non-transferrable

Registrations cannot be transfered to another person, they are linked to immigration documents, tax documents and credit card transactions.