US Embassy Clarifies Student Visa Processing Amid Delay Concerns
The United States Embassy in New Delhi on Thursday stated that student visa applications are being processed in accordance with established regulations, responding to reports of delays in securing visa interview appointments.
A spokesperson for the US Embassy said, 'The United States government is committed to processing visas in accordance with established regulations and guidelines to ensure that qualified applicants are approved for study in the United States while maintaining national security.' The spokesperson added that every application is assessed individually.
'All student visa applications are adjudicated on a case-by-case basis in strict accordance with established regulations and guidelines,' the spokesperson said. Applicants were advised to rely on official sources for updates on interview wait times and visa processing schedules.
'For current estimated visa interview wait times and processing schedules, applicants should consult the official Department of State travel website or the specific webpage of the relevant US Embassy or Consulate,' the spokesperson said.
The clarification comes a day after US Vice President JD Vance announced that the Department of Labor had launched investigations and issued subpoenas against alleged foreign fraudsters accused of misusing the H-1B visa programme. Vance said the Trump administration would ensure the programme does not disadvantage American workers.
'We have a programme called the H-1B visa programme. This goes to show how broad-based the fraud task force is. We're fighting for your taxpayer money, but we're also making sure that fraudsters don't take advantage of these visa programmes,' he said.
The H-1B visa remains one of the primary pathways for Indian professionals seeking jobs in the United States, particularly in technology, engineering, healthcare and finance.
According to US student visa guidelines, international students must first secure admission to a recognised US educational institution before applying for a visa. Once admitted, they receive Form I-20, which is required for the visa application.
New students can receive F and M visas up to 365 days before their course begins, although they can enter the United States only within 30 days of the programme start date mentioned on the Form I-20. The F-1 visa is issued to students pursuing academic programmes at accredited colleges, universities, private secondary schools and approved English-language institutions. The M-1 visa is meant for vocational and non-academic courses.
Applicants must submit a completed DS-160 form, a valid passport, a recent photograph, the original signed Form I-20, proof of SEVIS (I-901) fee payment, an interview appointment confirmation and supporting documents. Spouses of principal applicants are also required to submit a copy of their marriage certificate.
The US Department of State also operates EducationUSA, its official higher education advising network. In India, EducationUSA has centres in Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Mumbai to assist students planning to study in the United States.
The guidelines also state that eligible F-1 visa holders can apply for up to 12 months of Optional Practical Training (OPT) after completing their studies, subject to approval. Students who remain away from their academic programme for more than five months may need to obtain a new student visa before returning to the United States.
