US Student Visa Interviews to Increase by 30%

The United States to increase visa interviews for students from India. 1,25,000 Indians went to the US within the last year for study abroad.

A record number of Indian students are expected to be granted US Student visas as interview appointments begin in June 2023.

According to Consular Chief US Consulate John Ballard, most of the US Study visa appointment slots will be opened “from June 1 till the middle of July”. In case of more demand, additional interview slots will be opened up “from mid-July through August so that every student has an opportunity to appear for the interviews”.

The Consular Chief was speaking at a media roundtable held recently.

Previously, US Consul General in Mumbai Mike Hankey told reporters that the US was aiming at a 30% increase in US Student visa interview appointments this summer.

Both announcements come as thousands of students in India prepare for the upcoming Fall intake (in September).

A record number of visas issued

The US Mission in India prepares to interview the highest number of students between June-August 2023 for the Fall intake. In Fiscal Year 2022, a record 1,25,000 US Student visas were issued to Indian students.

As per reports, more student visas are currently being processed by the US Missions in India when compared to 2019 before pandemic. An estimated 2-and-a-half-times more nonimmigrant visas have been issued within the last 6 months when compared to the same period last year.

US faces rise in international student numbers

Over a million US Student visas are expected to be issued by the US Missions in India in 2023. So far, almost 500,000 visas have already been processed for Indian students.

Non-immigrant visas includes visas for -

• Work (H-1B)
• Business (B-1)
• Tourism (B-2)
• Student (F & M)

However, student visas are being prioritized during the present session due to the high volume of applications.

As per the Annual Report of the Visa Office 2022 of the US Department of State, a total of 6,815,120 nonimmigrant visas were granted overall. Of these,764,966 went to Indians.

In FY2022, the US granted a total of 437,018 US F Student visas, along with another 5,513 for vocational students on US M visas.

With an increase in US visa interviews for students, there will be many more Indian students that go to the US to study overseas in 2023.

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