PRAVASISAMWAD.COM
Bulk slots that opened on June 14 evoked a huge rush; many students failed to get a personal interview slot
IN A RECENT TWEET, the US Embassy in India advised the visa seekers not to submit emergency requests assuring them that additional appointments would be added in month of July due to the heavy rush for visas, mainly from students.
“We will interview as many students as we did in the summer of 2019, the last normal year… We will open tens of thousands of student visa appointments around the country for July and August. In addition, we hope to open appointments at our visa application centres for those eligible for interview waiver or dropbox processing,” Don Heflin, Minister Counselor for Consular Affairs said.
The embassy sources said, due to Covid-19 situation, the full appointment schedule were not met, but it is likely to improve soon, maybe from current 25 per cent to 40 per cent.
Many students from India who were planning to study in the US universities, colleges and educational institutions were struggling to get visas under F-1 category, but due to the pandemic situation, they were not getting slots for personal interviews for the visas.
Finally, on June 10, 2021, the embassy announced to open bulk student visa slots to open on June 14. Still, many did not get the interview slots and were disappointed in the situation.
The recent embassy tweet was a huge relief to the aspiring students. The tweet assured the visa seekers that additional appointments would be added in the month of July, given the huge rush.
Students from different Indian states were in constant fear of missing out travel due to visa delay, as most foreign universities start academic year schedules in August –September.
We will interview as many students as we did in the summer of 2019, the last normal year… We will open tens of thousands of student visa appointments around the country for July and August. In addition, we hope to open appointments at our visa application centres for those eligible for interview waiver or dropbox processing
— Don Heflin, Minister Counselor for Consular Affairs
In a Facebook Live announcement, Heflin explained pre-requisites for US Study Visa in 2021.
He made it clear that this time the parents wouldn’t be allowed to accompany students to the US (on B1/B2 visa), and the embassy won’t be issuing any National Interest Exception (NIEs) in any case currently.
“Unfortunately, considering the current Covid-19 pandemic situation, parents who wish to accompany their kids who are going to study in US universities will not be granted visas,” Heflin said.