The visa is a color sticker pasted into a foreign national's passport by the US consul abroad. It shows the classification status an individual will have when admitted to the US. If their visa expires and the student/scholar plans to travel outside the US, they will need to renew their visa.

On occasion, a visa applicant experiences application processing delays prior to being issued a US visa. A common reason for a delay is that the applicant is subject to additional security checks. Most delays are resolved within 30-60 days. Visa officers routinely refer to it simply as "administrative processing.” The US Department of State has stated that requests to expedite processing will not be considered and each consulate has its own process for handling inquiries. Visa applicants should refer to the written notice provided by the US consulate for information about the inquiry process.

Students or scholars waiting more than 30 days for a visa decision, should contact their ISSS advisor.

On occasion, a visa application is denied. A common reason international students and scholars receive a denial is because they failed to convince the consular officer that they have nonimmigrant intent (i.e. will return to their home country after their time in the United States).

If a denial occurs, the applicant will receive a notice that explains the reason for the denial. Emory students and scholars who receive a visa denial letter should contact their ISSS advisor right away. 

International students and scholars who seek to enter the US generally must first obtain a US visa, which is placed in their passport. Prior to applying for a visa at a US consulate or embassy abroad, prospective Emory international students must first receive an offer of admission and submit an I-20 or DS-2019 request to ISSS. Alternatively, Emory scholars must obtain an invitation or employment offer before their hosting/hiring department can initiate the scholar request to ISSS. Once in possession of an Emory issued I-20 (F-1s), DS-2019 (J-1s), or ISSS approval packet (all other scholars), new international students and scholars may begin the visa application process.

If their visa expires before they complete their Emory program/employment and they plan to travel abroad, the international student or scholar will need to renew their visa prior to returning to the US. In general, the process to apply for a visa renewal is the same as applying for an initial visa.