US student visa: F1 applicants can now apply 1-year ahead
What's the story
In a major update for international students looking to study in the United States (US), the US Department of State announced that students can apply for their F-1 visa up to a year before their academic term starts. This now gives students more time to apply for their visas, as universities can issue and accept I-20 applications 12-14 months before term time.
Details
Students can enter US 30 days before program: Know how
After receiving their US visa, the students can travel to the United States 30 days before their academic course begins. Until now, the interview process for the visa could only be scheduled up to 120 days before the start of the term. Furthermore, I-20 forms could only be issued 4-6 months before the start of the term.
Official statement
US Department of State's official statement on student visa
In a release, the US Department of State said: "F and M student visas can now be issued up to 365 days in advance of the I-20 program start date, allowing more time for students to apply for a visa." "Students are still not allowed to enter the U.S. on a student visa more than 30 days before their program start date," it added.
Twitter Post
Twitter post by the state department
F and M student visas can now be issued up to 365 days in advance of the I-20 program start date, allowing more time for students to apply for a visa. Students are still not allowed to enter the U.S. on a student visa more than 30 days before their program start date. pic.twitter.com/jHUaNZYkE8
— Travel - State Dept (@TravelGov) February 21, 2023
Visa increase
Issued 36% more visas to India after COVID-19: US
Addressing a media interaction on Tuesday, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Visa Services in the Bureau of Consular Affairs Julie Stufft said that India is their number one priority. "We are absolutely committed to getting out of this situation," she said, adding that it has issued 36% more visas this year than it did before the COVID-19 pandemic in India.
Numbers
US issued 1.25 lakh student visas to Indians in 2022
Earlier this month, Mike Hankey, Consul General at the US Consulate General in Mumbai, stated that the US issued 1.25 lakh student visas to Indians following the COVID-19 pandemic in 2022. "Post COVID-19, there was a huge backlog of visas, and last year, the wait time was about 1,000 days," Hankey told the news outlet The Indian Express in Gujarat's Vadodara.
In-depth
Know about F visas for students
The F visas are non-immigrant student visas that allow foreigners to study in the United States. All F-1 visa students must maintain a full course of study and are only issued at American embassies and consulates outside the country. These students must also show they can support themselves during their stay, as their chances for lawful employment are very slim.