1. Prepare for the Visa Interview

• Visit the nearest EducationUSA Advising Center to check the availability of visa information session.
• Prepare Required Documents for a Visa
• Your local U.S. Embassy or Consulate may require additional documentation.
• Take a Complimentary F-1 Visa Preparation Course. 
  Disclaimer: This complimentary course is offered by Catalyst GEM, an independent third-party provider. Wichita State University does not endorse, administer, or assume responsibility for the course content, services, or outcomes. Participation is voluntary, and all inquiries or concerns should be addressed directly to Catalyst GEM.

2. Apply Early!

• The visa wait time in many countries can be several weeks or months so APPLY EARLY!
  Visa Wait Times
  Requesting an Expedited Visa Appointment
• Make sure all your social media accounts are set to public visibility since U.S. embassies and consulates may review them during the visa approval process. Failure to do so could result in a visa denial.
• Apply for a visa up to 1 year before the start date on your I-20 or DS-2019.  Some countries are subject to a 90-day visa validity period, which means that your visa can only be used during a 90-day window from the date it is issued until the date it expires.  Check the U. S. Visa Reciprocity table to find out the F-1 visa validity period for your country of citizenship/residence.  If your country is subject to a 90-day validity period, you should not schedule a visa interview appointment that is more than 90 days before the program start date on your I-20.  Otherwise, your visa could expire before you can use it to enter the U.S.
• How to Apply for an F-1 Visa or J-1 Visa
• Pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee before your visa interview

3. During the Visa Interview

• Most visa interviews are only about 3 minutes long.
• During the interview, be honest, friendly, and organized.
• Visa officers often ask why you chose a specific major, why you chose to study at Wichita State, or why you chose to study in Wichita. You must be prepared to answer these questions.
  Information About Wichita State
  Information About Your Major
  Information About the City of Wichita

4. Reasons for Visa Denials

The most common reasons for visa denials are:

1. The visa officer suspected the student of wanting to immigrate to the U.S. You must prove to the visa officer that you plan to return home after graduation. Examples of proof:
   * Owning a house or business in your country
   * Having a guaranteed job when you return home
   * Having a spouse, children, or close family at home
   * You will inherit property, a business, or assets in your country
   * Have admission to a major that will allow you to get a job when you return home. For example, if you major in Aerospace Engineering, an aerospace industry must exist in your country so that you can find a job after you graduate.
2. You do not have enough money to study in the U.S.
3. You did not bring all required documents with you to the U.S. Embassy for the interview.
4. You lied about something on your visa application or during the visa interview.
5. You failed a security background check (called "Administrative Processing)

5. Help! I Was Denied a Visa!

• Visa Denial Help
• If you are denied a visa and would like to try again, you may need to request readmission for a future term and get a new I-20.
• No university in the U.S. can control the outcome of a visa application. We cannot require the embassy to grant you a visa or influence their decision in any way.