File Student Visa Applications in US 1 Year Before Program Commences

To curb student visa applications’ overloading at the US consulates and embassies for the upcoming admissions in 2024 the US State Department has issued an official statement. The statement states that international students can apply for their F and M student visas in the US one year prior to their program commencement. Check out the official statement given below:

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.

— Travel - State Dept (@TravelGov) February 21, 2023

This step would help international students file their student visas in the US with a buffer time between visa approval and travelling to study in the US for higher education. Earlier students had to wait for a long duration to get their visas approved. In some cases, the waiting period had gone up to 300 days across a couple of US consulates to assess and approve student visa applications previously. 

Also, earlier I-20 forms were acceptable 120 days before the term commencement at US universities, but now universities will have the authority to release and accept the I-20 form 12-14 months prior to the term commencement. Plus the interviews for student visas in the US that were scheduled 120 days before the program intends to start will also witness a change with these steps in the near future. 

Check: SEVIS Fee & US Student Visa: What it is and how to pay it?

F/M US Student Visa Acceptability 

For each US institution, there is a separate student visa accepted. The following table shows for which student visa is accepted for which of the US institutions for international students filing an application soon:  

Check out:

• Documents required for F-1 Visa (US Student Visa)
• F1 Student Visa Timelines
• Step-by-Step Guide US VISA Appointment in India

This announcement has brought some relief to international students because there was a huge delay in student visa application processing at the designated US centres. The US State Department to bridge the waiting time after filing student visa applications and approval has also suggested hiring more officials across its consulates and embassies so that minimum delays are encountered in the near future. Students must note, that no matter how prior their student visas for studying in the US get approved, they would not be permitted to enter the US 30 days before their program commences. 

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