Apply for US Student Visa up to a Year Before Course Start: Bureau of Consular Affairs. Indian students can now breathe a sigh of relief as they can apply for their US student visa up to a year in advance of their academic program start date, according to the US Bureau of Consular Affairs.
The decision comes as the wait times at several visa centers in India can be as high as 300 days. F and M student visas can now be issued 365 days before the I-20 program start date, giving more time to students to complete the application process. However, applicants can only enter the US 30 days prior to their program start date.
John Ballard, the consular chief at the US Consulate General in Mumbai, said that the US embassy and consulates in India are anticipating a record number of student visas this year. To reduce the backlog of visa appointments, the US is working on multiple strategies, including allowing some visa applications to be processed in other countries and increasing the number of consular staff. Additionally, the embassy plans to conduct special interviews for first-time applicants.
Quick Summary of US Student visas
Student Visa
Overview
Generally, a citizen of a foreign country who wishes to enter the United States must first obtain a visa, either a nonimmigrant visa for temporary stay, or an immigrant visa for permanent residence. You must have a student visa to study in the United States. Your course of study and the type of school you plan to attend determine whether you need an F visa or an M visa.
| To enter the United States to attend: | You need the following visa category: |
|---|---|
| University or college | F |
| High School | |
| Private elementary school | |
| Seminary | |
| Conservatory | |
| Another academic institution, including a language training program | |
| Vocational or other recognized nonacademic institution, other than a language training program | M |
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