Last Update: February 25, 2023, 19:01 IST
Visa interviews can only be scheduled up to 120 days, and I-20 forms 4-6 months before the earlier period begins (Representational image)
A student may enter the US up to 30 days prior to the start of their program on a valid Visitor (B) visa. A student visa is issued by US embassies and consulates on the basis of an I-20 form issued by their educational institutions.
In a much-needed relief to foreign students seeking to study in the US, the Biden administration has announced that they can now apply for visas up to a year before the start of their academic term.
The State Department, however, said that international students will not be allowed to enter the country on student visas more than 30 days prior to the start of their program.
International students are generally issued two categories of US visas – F and M. “Student (F and M) visas for new students may be issued up to 365 days prior to the date of commencement of a course of study,” the State Department said. ,
“However, you will not be permitted to enter the US on your student visa more than 30 days prior to your date of entry,” it said on Tuesday.
A student may enter the US up to 30 days prior to the start of their program on a valid Visitor (B) visa.
A student visa is issued by US embassies and consulates on the basis of an I-20 form issued by their educational institutions.
The State Department mandates that all students must be registered with the Student and Exchange Visitor System (SEVIS).
Spouses and minor children, if they intend to immigrate to the United States with the student, are each required to obtain an individual Form I-20 from the student’s educational institution.
According to the State Department, foreign students in the United States with an F visa must leave the United States within 60 days of the end date of the program listed on Form I-20, including any authorized practical training.
The new announcement means that universities can accept and issue I-20 forms 12-14 months before term time.
Prior to this, visa interviews could only be scheduled up to 120 days, and I-20 forms 4-6 months prior to the start of the period.
The update comes after the US is “putting every ounce of its energy” to end long visa wait times in India, Julie Stufft, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Visa Services, told PTI.
He said that India broke the record of highest number of student visas last year and it could happen this year as well. India America now ranks second in the world in terms of incoming international students.
“We are really, we are focusing all our efforts now on this visa for visitors and in particular, if you don’t need an interview, you don’t need to wait too long for a visa renewal. And this is also a part of our strategy.
There are growing concerns about long waiting periods for first-time visa applicants in India, especially those applying under the B1 (business) and B2 (tourist) categories.
For the first time in India, the waiting period for B1/B2 visa applicants was close to three years in October last year. India was one of the very few countries that saw a big jump in applications for US visas after travel restrictions related to the coronavirus were lifted.
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(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed)