What are the measures taken by the US consulates to address the rising applications for student visas? Are there more officials deputed to speed up the visa process?
Our goal is to allow every first-time student visa applicant to interview ahead of their scheduled programme start date, along with as many second-time applicants as time permits. To meet that goal, we are continually evaluating and adjusting our schedule, staffing, and processes to maximise appointment availability. For example, this year we are starting student visa appointments two weeks earlier to give us more time to meet anticipated student demand.
The first tranche of the interview process starts in late May and will continue till August. Is there a set number of applications that the consulates are expecting?
We are opening tens of thousands of appointments, and we have increased our student interview capacity this year to meet that demand.
In 2023, a record 253,355 visas for international students were denied by consular officials across the globe. What are the top reasons for visa rejections? How can students prepare better?
We encourage students not to focus on denials, as most student visa applicants in India will receive the visa on their first try. When a visa is denied, it could be for several reasons. The most common is that the applicant couldn’t demonstrate during their interview that they have the intention to return to India and depart the US at the end of their temporary visit. We may also deny a visa if we need more documents or information from the applicant or if we need to do more work on the case. In these cases, the denial may be overcome once we receive the information we need. Students can prepare for their interview by ensuring they have their documents in order. Mandatory documents include I-20, SEVIS receipt, DS-160 barcode page, valid passport, application fee receipt, and two recent photographs. We also recommend that students bring financial records and previous academic records though these may not be required at the interview. Students should also be prepared to speak to the interviewing officer in their own words about their academic plans and to talk about how they will fund their studies.
Students from India were issued a total of 130,839 F-1 student visas in 2023, which was a 14% jump from 2022. Is it likely to increase this year?
Issuance numbers ultimately come down to the number of students who apply and are admitted to US schools and the qualifications of those individual students. We cannot predict exact numbers, but we are anticipating another big year for student visa applicants, and we continue to see large numbers of students seeking advising from EducationUSA, the free advising service that is the official source of information about US higher education. In fact, more Indian students received a US student visa last year than students from any other country and Indian students now make up over a quarter of all international students in the United States. This year we expect those trends to continue.
With the US presidential election scheduled in November, is there any noticeable apprehension among international students applying to US universities?
The US presidential elections are a regular feature of the American democratic process and society. In fact, every student completing a two-year graduate programme will witness an election of the US Congress and those completing a four-year undergraduate programme will get to see one US presidential election in person. Over the last decade, the number of Indian students in the US has nearly tripled and, if trends continue Indians will soon be the largest group of international students at American universities and colleges. While some students do consider how government policies will impact them as international students, past and current statistics indicate continued interest in the US as the top international study destination. The US and its higher educational institutions continue to welcome Indian students and provide unmatched opportunities for academic and professional growth.
Despite the looming recession, increasing threats of unemployment and cost of living pressure, why are Indian students driven to study in the US?
US institutions offer gold standards in education, a range of highly specialised and industry-focused majors, the opportunity to conduct cutting-edge research, access to international networks, a robust infrastructure, as well as flexibility in programme offerings to create a customised educational journey suited to their specific needs. A degree from an accredited US university is an invaluable asset for any student preparing for the future, as the rich, immersive campuses and diverse classrooms along with practical training in several courses give the relevant experience- key to today’s job market.
What is your opinion on the security threats faced by Indian students in the US, considering the spate of unfortunate incidents in the recent past?
Students’ safety is of paramount importance to the US and all US schools and universities are strongly committed to safeguarding campus communities. The tragic deaths of some Indian students in the US over these past months stemmed from different causes and took place in different locations across the US. As External Affairs Minister Jaishankar recently shared, the Government of India has looked into these deaths and there is no indication of any connection between these tragedies. Looking out for the welfare of students and building safe and inclusive communities is part of what US universities do every day, as they welcome and support American and international students to campus.