US Student Visa Update: Applications Window to Open 1 Year Before Start of Academic Program

Latest Update: The fee for US student visas will increase from $160 to $185 effective May 30, 2023, according to a recent announcement by the US Department of State.

The United States Department of State has taken much-needed reforms for international students who want to pursue studies in the U.S. The following are the changes:

• 
  From March 1st, 2023. F-1 student visa applicants can now apply 365 days before the start of an academic term. 
• 
  Previously, applicants for an F1 visa had to schedule their interview with the visa authorities within 120 days from the receipt of their I-20, which is a university or college-issued form.
• 
  This puts the universities in an excellent position to admit and then release I-20s to the students 12-14 months before semester or term time so that they have sufficient time to complete their visa application processes. However, the students shall not travel to the United States more than 30 days before the start date of their course of study.

Why the Change in Rules?

The measure is in the wake of the backlog of visa files that accumulated in US consulates and embassies around the world post-pandemic. The current US visa backlog around the world is:

• 
  Nepal: 187 Calendar Days
• 
  Bangladesh: 211 Calendar Days
• 
  Nigeria: 222 Calendar Days
• 
  UAE: 14 Calendar Days
• 
  India: 36 Calendar Days
• 
  Mexico: 1 Calendar Day

Deputy Assistant Secretary for Visa Services in the Bureau of Consular Affairs Julie Stufft said, "India is the number one priority that we are facing right now. We are committed to getting out of the backlog situation. Anyone in India seeking a visa appointment or visa has to wait, that's not certainly our ideal."

Also Read: How Slow Visa Approvals Continue to Pose Difficulties for Students?

Detailed Breakdown of the New Policies

The U.S. government has implemented several measures to reduce visa interview wait times:

• 
  Increased Funding: Funding has been increased considerably by the U.S. The increased funding is around USD 50 million to the Department of State to reduce the Visa interview wait times. This budget has been allocated to increase the work capacity.

• 
  Increased Staffing: Hiring has been doubled to increase productivity and processing capacity.

• 
  Streamlined Processes: New technologies have been implemented to improve the process. This has seen considerable improvement in the processing speed.

• 
  Interview Waivers: To reduce the number of interviews, the Interview Waiver Program has been expanded, in which a visa is renewed without an in-person interview.

Benefits of the New US Visa Update

This new move aims to make the US visa application process more flexible and convenient for students who may have logistical challenges.

• 
  The extended US student visa application deadline will allow foreign students, especially Indians, a lot more time to apply and prepare for F1 visa interview.
• 
  Another advantage of the new US student visa application timeline is that US colleges and universities can now issue I-20 forms 12 to 14 months before their programs begin.

It is important to note that while the interview scheduling period has been extended, applicants are still advised to schedule their interviews as early as possible to allow sufficient time for any necessary administrative procedures or processing delays. Additionally, applicants should still ensure that they have all the necessary documents for a US visa and meet eligibility requirements before applying.

Impact on International Students, Especially from India

To understand the effect on international students, especially from India, we can divide it into potential benefits and challenges. Read on to understand:

Benefits:

• 
  Students can join their programs on time.
• 
  Less stress for applicants and their families.
• 
  More students mean more money for universities.
• 
  Faster approvals help students start jobs or internships on time.
• 
  Encourages more people to apply for visas.

Challenges:

• 
  More applications can create new delays.
• 
  Faster processing may cause mistakes.
• 
  Housing and resources could be harder to find.
• 
  Not all regions may see the same benefits.
• 
  Short-term fixes might not solve long-term issues.

For Indian Students:

• 
  Easier to plan studies abroad.
• 
  Improves India’s global image.
• 
  Saves money by avoiding last-minute changes.

Effects on F1, H1B, and Other Visa Categories

Now let us understand the effect on F1, H1B and other visa categories by the measures taken by the US government:

F-1 Visa (Students):

Faster processing helps students start their studies on time.

Less stress about missing classes or orientations.

H-1B Visa (Workers):

Quicker approvals allow professionals to begin jobs as planned.

Employers can fill positions without long delays.

B-2 Visa (Tourists):

Shorter wait times make it easier to plan vacations or family visits.

Travelers can take advantage of spontaneous travel opportunities.

Other Measures to Reduce US Student Visa Delays

Over the past few months, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has taken multiple steps to ease the processing time, including special interview slots, and interview waivers for some applicants.

Here are some of the measures that have been implemented:

• 
  Interview waiver process: The Department of State has initiated a US interview waiver process for some temporary workers, students, and academic exchange visitors. This means that those who are eligible for the waiver will not have to go through an in-person interview, which will reduce wait times and make the process more convenient.

• 
  Special Saturday interview days: On January 21, 2023, the embassy launched the first in a series of special Saturday interview days to reduce wait times for first-time visa applicants. The US Embassy in New Delhi and Consulates in Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, and Hyderabad opened consular operations on Saturdays to accommodate applicants who require in-person visa interviews.

These measures have helped to reduce wait times for visa processing, especially for H-1B and F-1 visa applicants. International students make a significant contribution to the US economy and cultural landscape, and these updates will help to make the visa application process smoother and more efficient.

The US Department of State has urged students to stay informed about the latest developments in visa processing procedures and consult with their educational institution and relevant immigration authorities to ensure that they are following the correct procedures.

Frequently Asked Questions