The United States Embassy has released the first tranche of student visa appointments in India for the September 2024 intake.
" It’s almost Student Visa Season! The first tranche of student visa appointments for interviews in late May has been released. In the coming weeks we’ll release additional appointment tranches for June, July, and August," the U.S. Consulate General Hyderabad, announced.
In a recent interview at the American Center, US Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, emphasized the United States' commitment to reducing visa processing times for Indian students.
Garcetti revealed that US President Joe Biden has specifically instructed him to expedite the visa process for Indian students, indicating the high importance attached to this issue. "It's the first time, I think, in American history that a President has told an ambassador to get those visa waiting times down," he stated. The US Mission in India is actively working to ensure more Indian students can study in the US, anticipating a further rise in visa applications this year.
Last year, to combat fraud and prevent misuse of the visa appointment system, the United States implemented a new policy for applicants seeking student visas. Starting November 27, all applicants for F, M, and J visas must enter their correct passport details when creating a profile and scheduling their visa appointment. This move aims to ensure greater accuracy and accountability in the visa application process.
According to the new policy, individuals who create a profile or schedule an appointment with incorrect or fraudulent passport information will not be accommodated at the Visa Application Centers (VAC). This measure is designed to enhance the integrity of the appointment system and ensure that genuine applicants are prioritized.
The F, M, and J visa categories are typically used by international students and exchange visitors. By requiring accurate passport information, the US aims to minimize fraudulent activities, such as double-booking or transferring appointments, and streamline the process for those seeking student and exchange visas.
Applicants who fail to comply with this policy risk having their appointments canceled or facing delays in processing. It's essential for those applying for student visas to ensure that their passport information is accurate and up to date when creating their profile and scheduling an appointment.
In 2022, the US consular team in India issued over 140,000 student visas, a record number that surpassed all other countries. This record is expected to be broken again as more Indian students aim to pursue their studies in the US. Ambassador Garcetti praised the consular team's "heroic" efforts to accommodate this growing demand, highlighting that they work on weekends and organize special days dedicated to student visa processing to speed up the process.
Source: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/nri/study/us-releases-first-tranche-of-student-visa-appointments-in-india-for-september-2024-intake/articleshow/109913142.cms
