US Embassy to restart visas processing for Indian students from June 14

The United States embassy in India will restart the visas processing for students across the country from June 14 to facilitate their travel in time for the fall semester.

In a statement, the US embassy said, "Student visas remain a top priority for the US Mission to India and we are making every attempt to facilitate student travel in time for the fall semester. As such, on June 14, 2021, we will open limited July and August student visa appointments at posts across India."

The embassy also asked the students to visit the website, https://ustraveldocs.com/in, to view availability and schedule an appointment.  

"Prior to your visa interview, please review your I-20 program start date. Students beginning a new program with a program start date on or after August 1 may travel to the United States up to 30 days prior to the program start date and do not need to submit a request for a national interest exception," it said.

"Continuing students may also resume their programs on or after August 1, and travel 30 days before their program resumption date. We are unable to approve expedite requests for Fall 2021 students with scheduled appointments in July or August. If your appointment date may result in a potentially late start, please reach out to your school to discuss options," it added.

On April 30, US President Joe Biden had signed Presidential Proclamation 10199 suspending most non-immigrant travel from India.  

In light of the travel suspension and due to the current pandemic situation in India, most other routine non-immigrant visa and VAC appointments at US Embassy in New Delhi and the consulates in Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Mumbai remain extremely limited.  

"We continue to make every effort to accommodate emergency visa appointments and will honour upcoming scheduled regular appointments in limited visa categories," the embassy said.