New Delhi: The good news that students aspiring to study in the US had been waiting to hear is finally here. The US Embassy in Delhi has announced on Twitter that they are opening July and August student visa appointments at posts across India on June 14, 2021. “Students may visit our website, https://t.co/ge5EeIRsKI, to view availability and schedule an appointment,” read the tweet.
The U.S. Mission to India is opening July and August student visa appointments at posts across India on June 14, 2021. Students may visit our website, https://t.co/ge5EeIRsKI, to view availability and schedule an appointment. Read more: https://t.co/qDtLHwHN4a
— U.S. Embassy India (@USAndIndia) June 10, 2021
There are more details in the link given in the Tweet. Here are the highlights:
- Students beginning a new program with a program start date on or after August 1 may travel to the United States up to 30 days prior to the program start date and do not need to submit a request for a national interest exception.
- Continuing students may also resume their programs on or after August 1, and travel 30 days before their program resumption date.
- “We are unable to approve expedite requests for Fall 2021 students with scheduled appointments in July or August. If your appointment date may result in a potentially late start, please reach out to your school to discuss options.”
- Reduced routine services for U.S. citizens are currently offered throughout India. Please see our U.S. Citizen Services webpages for more information.
- For more information on which travellers are subject to the Proclamation, please visit our newsroom website.
- If you believe you are subject to the Proclamation and wish to apply for a national interest exception, please read our FAQs page for more information.
- For information on our immigrant visa processing and our operating status, please visit: https://in.usembassy.gov/visas/immigrant-visas/.
- If you have additional questions or need assistance on an issue affecting a U.S. citizen, please call 1-888-407-4747 from the United States or 1-202-501-4444 from India.
- Additional updates on operational status can be found on the website https://ustraveldocs.com/in/.
- In case of technical issues, please write to support-india@ustraveldocs.com or call the Visa Application Center during business hours to speak to a representative (+91 120 4844644 or +91 22 62011000).
- For detailed information about the current status of visa services worldwide and visa restrictions related to the COVID-19 global pandemic, visit travel.state.gov.
Negative COVID-19 Test Required for Travel
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) require all air passengers entering the United States to present a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of departure. This requirement is separate from the visa application process. Many Presidential Proclamations restricting travel due to COVID-19 remain in place and continue to apply to subject potential travellers regardless of their test results or vaccination status. Travellers holding a National Interest Exception also remain subject to all applicable pre-departure testing requirements.
How to Request an Expedited Appointment
Applicants can request an expedited appointment through the online appointment system at https://www.ustraveldocs.com/in/expedited-appointment.html. They must already have a confirmed interview appointment date in order to request an expedited appointment. If the emergency appointment request is approved, the applicant will be notified with instructions via email. The applicant should not cancel an existing appointment unless they receive a confirmation that their request for an emergency appointment has been approved. If they not yet received an approval or denial, the request is still under consideration.
Applicants requesting an expedited appointment must also submit evidence that they are not subject to the April 30 Presidential Proclamation or may otherwise qualify for a national interest exception from these travel restrictions. For more information on who may travel under the Presidential Proclamation, and the documentation that must be submitted as evidence, please visit the website: https://in.usembassy.gov/visas/national-interest-exception-frequently-asked-questions/.
The Embassy further said that they are unable to approve expedite requests for Fall 2021 students with scheduled appointments in July or August. If the appointment date may result in a potentially late start, applicants should reach out to their school to discuss options.
Visa Fees Validity Extension:
The validity of payment (known as the MRV fee) will be extended until September 30, 2022, to allow all applicants who were unable to schedule a visa appointment as a result of the suspension of routine consular operations an opportunity to schedule and/or attend a visa appointment with the already paid fee.
Presidential Proclamations on Novel Coronavirus: Entry of foreign nationals who were physically present within the following list of countries within 14 days prior to their entry or attempted entry into the United States is suspended, per Presidential Proclamations.