US Embassy Implements Stricter Measures for Student Visa Applicants in India

In a recent announcement via the microblogging site 'X', the US Embassy in India has revealed significant changes to the student visa application process, which have taken effect from November 27, 2023. These changes will be applied across all US embassies in Indian cities, impacting students seeking admission to American educational institutions under the F, M, and J student visa categories.

Effective immediately, the US Embassy mandates that all F, M, and J student visa applicants must utilise their respective passport information when establishing a profile and scheduling their visa appointments. The motivation behind this procedural adjustment is to prevent instances of fraud and abuse within the appointment system.

The US Embassy in India issued a warning, stating that applicants utilising an incorrect passport number for profile creation or appointment booking would face rejection at the Visa Application Centres (VAC). Additionally, their appointments would be cancelled, resulting in the forfeiture of the visa fee.

Specific guidelines were outlined for F or M visa applicants, necessitating enrolment in a school or program certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). Meanwhile, J visa applicants must secure sponsorship from an organisation approved by the Department of State.

For those who have inadvertently used an incorrect passport number, the US Embassy advises creating a new profile with the accurate passport information or accessing an existing profile containing the correct details to secure a visa appointment. However, this entails payment for a new visa fee receipt if the prior one was linked to the profile with inaccurate passport information.

Addressing potential complications arising from lost or stolen old passports, the US Embassy clarified that applicants must provide a photocopy or alternative evidence of the old passport number when scheduling a US visa appointment at the VAC for admission.

Simultaneously, the US Ambassador affirmed recent initiatives to alleviate visa issuance waiting times from India. The addition of more staff and the establishment of new consulates, including those in Ahmedabad and the recently inaugurated one in Hyderabad, are part of the concerted efforts to streamline the visa application process.

Highlighting the surge in demand, the US Embassy stated that its India team processed a record number of visa applications in 2023, more than all previous years.

To know more about these changes and how they affect your application, contact MWT Education Consultancy today!