Tips for Smooth Visa Processing

Before arriving at the U.S. Embassy/ Consulate
Make sure all of your information on the SEVIS I-20 is correct' Please verify that the month and day on your birth date are not inverted and that the year is correct. Check for misspellings of your name and that your first and last name have been indicated properly. Check for a "SEVIS ID". If this number does not appear in your I-20, please contact LDS Business College as soon as possible.
Check the website of the embassy/consulate nearest to you. They might have specific tips or instructions for you. If you do not have access to the internet, please call.
Pay for the SEVIS processing fee.
Make an appointment'Neither embassies nor consulates accept walk-ins. If you do not make an appointment you will not be seen by an official.
Verify your passport' make sure your passport is not close to expiration. Visas will not be issued to individuals with expired passports. If your passport will expire in 6 months or less, please renew your passport before applying for a visa.

Applying
Apply as soon as possible' All U.S. Embassies and Consulates will be conducting personal interviews as well as other security checks that can take up to 30 days. By applying as soon as possible you give the embassy/consulate officials enough time to process your application without affecting your program start date. If you are an initial applicant, you will be able to enter the U.S. as soon as 30 days prior to your program start date. If you are a continuing student, you will be able to reenter the U.S. as soon as the visa is granted.
To apply you will need the following application forms: DS-156 and DS-158. If you are a male between the ages of 16 and 45 you will also need to submit application form DS-157.

When applying you will need to provide sufficient evidence of the following:
Your residence abroad' you have a residence outside the U.S. which you do not intend on abandoning
You qualify for the type of visa-student visa-that you are applying for'embassy/consulate officers may ask you to read in English. They may not question the usefulness or availability of your field of study in your home country.
You have enough funds to finance your stay in the United States' this means that you or your sponsor will be responsible for both tuition and living expenses.

The Wait
Please be patient with the embassy/consulate. There is high volume of visa applications around the world.
If you have any problems, please contact the College for further advise.

LDS Business College, International Student Office
34 South 500 East Suite 202
Salt Lake City, UT 84102
(801) 524-8175/1-800-999-5767
© LDS Business College