Visa application process for Indian students to be simplified: US embassy

Students who previously obtained a US visa will now have the privilege of avoiding the US visa interview process.

The US Embassy is making several efforts to make it easier for Indian students to apply for visas. One of these measures, according to Patricia Lacina, Charge d’Affaires of the US Embassy, is to waive the interview process for people who have previously obtained a US visa. On Student Visa Day, this announcement was made.

“The United States highly values foreign students and the valuable contributions they make to our educational institutions, campuses, and communities. This is especially true for Indian students, who make up the second-largest international student population in the US. For the past 75 years and still today, student mobility and the interpersonal connections it fosters have been a pillar of US-India relations. The fact that the US embassy in India continues to give students priority during visa interviews is the best indication of the value of intellectual interaction. According to the report, Student Mission India approved more student visas in 2021 than ever before, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a report.

We anticipate another record-breaking student season this summer. We have increased the number of student interview waiver choices and opened tens of thousands of new visa appointments. Under revised visa regulations, students who have previously had any type of US visa are now eligible to apply using the drop box service instead of going in person for an interview. We are taking several initiatives, and this is just one of them, she continued.

The media was also addressed by Don Heflin, the Minister Counselor for Consular Affairs in India, who was discussing the increase in student applications this summer.

Heflin responded, “Last year we had approximately the right quantity of applicants compared to pre-COVID years. I was asked about the influence of the epidemic on this summer’s visa application process. However, we are noticing a spike in interest this year, he continued, noting that the rise in applications for student visas is due to several factors, including the state of the Indian economy and the unmet demand for 2020–2021.