The short answer is: Generally, No.
Most reputable conferences (IEEE, ACM, Springer) have a strict "No-Show Policy." If your paper is accepted but no one presents it, the paper is removed from the official proceedings and will not be indexed in Scopus or IEEE Xplore—even if you paid the registration fee.
However, life happens. Visa denials, travel bans, and budget cuts are real. For 2026, there are three legitimate workarounds to publish your work without physically flying to the venue.
If you simply pay the fee and stay home, you risk having your paper pulled.
IEEE Policy: "Papers that are not presented at the conference by an author shall be deemed a 'No-Show.' These papers will be removed from the official proceedings and will not appear on IEEE Xplore."
ACM Policy: Similar strictness. They view the conference as a venue for dialogue, not just a printing press.
⚠️ Warning: Any conference that explicitly tells you "Just pay the fee, you don't need to present" is likely a predatory conference. Avoid these, as they often get blacklisted by Scopus.
Since 2020, many top-tier conferences have permanently adopted "Hybrid" models. This is the safest way to publish without traveling. You register as a "Virtual Presenter," pay a (sometimes reduced) fee, and present via Zoom.
Top Verified Options for 2026:
CSOC 2026 (100% Online): This Springer-published conference is designed for remote authors. You submit a video or present live online.
ICITST 2026 (Oxford/Hybrid): Explicitly offers a "Virtual Presentation" track for authors with travel restrictions. Your paper gets the same publication credit as physical attendees.
If the conference is strictly "In-Person" (no Zoom option), you can use the Substitute Presenter rule.
How it works: You authorize a colleague or co-author who is attending the conference to present your slides for you.
The Rule: You must notify the conference organizers in advance (usually 2-4 weeks). The substitute must be knowledgeable enough to answer Q&A.
The Cost: You usually still have to pay the "Author Registration" fee, even if you don't go.
Some technical conferences allow "Asynchronous Presentation."
How it works: You record a 15-minute video of your talk and upload it to the conference portal.
The Catch: You must be available for a "Live Q&A" chat session at a specific time (adjusting for time zones), or your paper might still be marked as a No-Show.
Before submitting to a conference, check the "Call for Papers" for these keywords:
"Hybrid Mode" (Safe ✅)
"Virtual Presenter Rate" (Safe ✅)
"Absentee Publication" (Risky ⚠️ - check if it's reputable)
"No Presentation Required" (Danger ❌ - likely predatory)
Recommendation: If you know you cannot travel, submit to CSOC 2026 or OLC Innovate 2026. These are designed for remote scholars and guarantee publication upon acceptance.