Thanks for the excellent advice.

A few more questions:

1. Because our conference is being held on the Expo grounds in Shanghai, albeit after Expo ends, the organizers have requested a passport size photo (OK by me) and a scan of the front page of my passport in order to create a security badge. Is this normal? I can also fax the front page of my passport, but this is far more difficult for me.

2. Do I need to have my itinerary completely "fixed" before applying for a visa? I tend to "wing it" when I travel. I will, as suggested above, arrange for a hotel for my first couple of pre-conference days, but am still trying to figure out my options in terms of cities, joining a post-conference tour, etc.

3. Moondog--Why do you try to get "F" visas? I am trying to figure out whether it would be helpful to have a business visa. I have an invitation letter so that is not an issue. Since I am paying my own way to the conference, a business visa could be helpful if my tax return is audited, but I can think of no other advantages. I am not a shopper so my pre and post conference activities will be work-related.