US Visa: Student Visa Application To Get Easier In 2023

As India is the number one country to send students to United States colleges and universities, Don Heflin, Minister Counsellor for Consular Affairs US Embassy, stated that the US issued 82,000 student visas in May and June 2022. He further revealed a few crucial pieces of information regarding student visa applications.

Regarding agents for booking slots, he said, "There is nothing illegal about it. I don't think you need an agent just to book a slot with us. One caution that we would give people when you talk to anyone who tries to sell you a package of fake documents or tells you to make false statements, just walk out immediately because that can get you in real trouble in your student visas", Heflin added.

Responding to the question of complaints about the system locking the applicants if they keep checking the website, he said,

"We advise people to check our site 2 or 3 times a day. That won't get you locked out, and appointments go so fast that if you check 2 or 3 times a day, you miss them. If you check them over and over and over and watch out for 72 hours, then it's a bummer, and we don't like that happen to people."

He also notified that, they may have 100% staffing next summer to avoid issues like students traveling between cities to visit consulates.

Responding to the question if students who are in the US need visa stamping on an Optional Practical Training, Heflin said that this summer, we started with dropbox appointments for students that they have never been able to do before.

Indian students comprise nearly 20% of all international students studying in the US.