In addition to the standard criteria, international applicants must provide proof of English language proficiency. This can be demonstrated in any one of the following ways:

• An undergraduate degree from an American college or university.
• A letter from your current college or university confirming that that English is the primary mode of instruction.
• TOEFL scores dated within the past 24 months. The minimum TOEFL score for consideration is: 250 for the computer-based test (CBT), 100 for the internet-based test (iBT), or 600 for the paper-based test (PBT). You must instruct the Educational Testing Service (ETS) to send your official TOEFL scores directly to the Stanford GSB Summer Institute for General Management (school code 3493).

Because the Summer Institute for General Management does not test applicants and does not offer academic credit, it is categorized as a business training course for visa purposes.
To enter the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program, travelers from participating countries must:

• Be a citizen of a Visa Waiver Program country;
• Have a valid passport issued by the participating country. Beginning October 1, 2003, the passport must be machine readable passport;
• Be seeking entry for 90 days or fewer, as a temporary visitor for business or pleasure. You will not be permitted to extend your visit or change to another visa category under the VWP.

Important note: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced the implementation of the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), which is a new fully automated, electronic system for screening passengers before they begin travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. ESTA applications may be submitted at any time (more than three days) prior to travel to the United States, and VWP travelers are encouraged to apply for authorization as soon as they begin to plan a trip to the United States. It is anticipated that ESTA will become mandatory for VWP travelers on January 12, 2009.
If you do not qualify for the VPM you should request a B-1/B-2 Visitor Visa for attendance at the Summer Institute for General Management.
Because SIGM's focus is business and professional development, the B1/B2 visa (for participation in scientific, educational, professional or business conventions, conferences, or seminars) is the appropriate for entry into the United States. When applying for a visa, you should include the admission letter and invoice that was sent to you via email.
For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs Visa Services: http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/without/without_1990.html

The State Department's goal is visa delivery no more than 30 days from the time of application in most cases, although cases that require administrative processing could take longer. Most administrative processing is resolved within 60 days of application.

Apply as early as possible. Even with the visa processing improvements that have been made and will continue to be made, it is inevitable that delays will sometimes occur. Processing times will vary.