Tips for making your visa interview successful

Request your letter of invitation and make your appointment for a visa interview early. Wait times for a visa interview can be several weeks or more in many countries, especially during peak travel periods. With this in mind, you are strongly urged to place your request for a letter of invitation to attend SATELLITE 2008 as soon as possible.

Here are some tips to make your visa interview successful:

• Request a letter of invitation from SATELLITE 2008 by the beginning of October 2007. The sooner you request your letter of invitation, the better. With recent changed in the immigration laws, it may take longer to apply for a visitor visa.
• Schedule an appointment with your embassy as soon as you receive your visa. Make your appointment early as wait times can be long in some countries. Please request your letter of invitation before you make your appointment and make sure you have your letter available for your interview.
• Travel with an official delegation. SATELLITE 2008 is a proud participant of the U.S. Department of Commerce's International Buyer Program. As such, official delegations to attend SATELLITE 2008 are often organized through the commercial sections of embassies. If you are interested in joining an official delegation, contact your local embassy and ask if the commercial trade specialist is organizing a delegation, or contact SATELLITE 2008 directly: inquiry@satellite2008.com.
• Verify fees and requirements. Click here to find out about visa fees and methods of payment accepted by the embassy or consulate. The website also contains information on other requirements such as photographs.
• Show proof of "strong ties" that bind you to your country of residence. The consular officers conducting interviews look for proof that you will return to your country. Evidence of "strong ties" includes proof of business ownership or employment, social and family relationships.
• If you have traveled to the U.S. previously, provide documentation demonstrating that you returned to your country on time. Use as airline ticket stub or boarding pass to shows your return flight or meeting materials that show you attended a business conference as proof that you returned within the timeframe you stated.
• With your application, include any materials SATELLITE 2008 may have sent you. Includes with your application any printed conference materials you received from SATELLITE 2008 to prove that the conference and exhibition is a legitimate business event.
• Present your entire trip itinerary with your application. Include any plans you may have to travel to any countries other than the United States, at the time of visa application.

Getting a visa is easy if you are prepared. Interviews typically last no more than 5 minutes and the questions are related to confirming your travel plans and ties to your home country. Remember, wait times can be long for visa processing. Register for SATELLITE 2008, request your letter of invitation and make your appointment as soon as possible. Please contact SATELLITE 2008 if you have any concerns: inquiry@SATELLITE2008.com.