Mid-May sees an opening for US student Visas

By Arnab Das, Blogger at Edubrainz | 12 May, 2023|

The first round of visa appointments will be available by mid-May, and the US is prepared to start assessing requests for student visas for the Fall semester.

Introduction

Students, pay attention! The U.S. Mission in India will start accepting appointments for the first round of the 2019 student visa season in mid-May. Later in the season, more appointments will be announced. Ready for your appointments and pay attention to further information regarding student visas. In a tweet, the US Consulate General in Hyderabad stated.

Although visa appointment wait times have made headlines, the US has revealed strategies to emphasize the processing of student and work visas.

A representative of the embassy confirmed last week that the administration of Vice President Biden is committed to processing all applications for autumn semester student visas from Indian nationals.

Additionally, the visa waiver program for in-person interviews has been extended by the United States until December 31, 2023, for specific learners, professors, research scholars, short-term scholars, or specialists (applicants for F, M, and academic J visas) who meet certain requirements, such as that they are applying for a student visa in their country of nationality or residence.

Under this program, consular officers may waive the need for a visa interview for some initial and repeat F, M, and academic J applicants who have previously received any type of visa, who have never had a visa refusal (unless it was overturned or waived), and who have no apparent or potential visa ineligibilities.

Some initial F, M, and academic J applicants who're either citizens or residents of a nation that takes part in the Visa Waiver Programme (VWP) may also be exempt from having an in-person interview as long as they have no apparent or potential grounds for disqualification and have already visited the US using an ESTA authorization.

Applicants extending a visa in the same category within 48 months after the expiration of the prior visa are likewise qualified for the relaxation of the interview requirement.

Conclusion

Depending on the circumstances and the specifics of the location, consular officials may nevertheless insist on an in-person interview. We recommend candidates visit the websites of the embassy and consulate to learn more about this development as well as their current working status and services, according to the US State Department.

FAQs

• How long is the student visa valid in the US?

Depending on the type of visa you hold, a student's validity period varies. For instance, F-1 visas are granted for the length of the study program and any authorized practical training that occurs after the program is finished. After finishing their studies or practical training, the visa holder is permitted to stay in the US for an extra 60 days.

• What documents do I need for a US student Visa?

If not exempted by country-specific agreements, you will typically need a passport that is valid for at least six months after the duration of your stay in the US, confirmation of enrollment at a SEVP-approved school and your Form I-20, payment of the SEVIS application fee, and documentation of your academic preparation, such as transcripts, degrees, or certificates from schools you attended; as well as the standardized test scores required by your school. Additionally, you might be required to show proof of your intention to leave the country once your studies are over as well as your financial arrangements for covering all tuition, living expenses, and travel expenses.

• How do I book an appointment?

During the process of submitting an online application, you can set up your U.S. visa consultation for a student visa. You can schedule an appointment to apply for a student visa to the United States once you have completed your DS-160 form. You'll be interviewed faster if you make the appointment earlier.

• How long does it take to get a student visa?

A visa for students in the United States will typically take 3 days to several weeks to process. The processing time, however, is determined by your institution or school. While some schools estimate that processing I-20s will take a few weeks, others estimate that it may take several months.