Most students are likely to make it to US on time, say overseas consultants

As the US Mission to India opens July and August student visa appointments, students rush in to book dates from Monday

Although the US Embassy in India has opened visa appointments at a 'limited capacity' and despite last-minute rush among students, overseas education consultants are bullish their wards will make it on time for the Fall semester.

"Student visas remain a top priority for the US Mission in 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 stated recently, asking students to schedule an appointment on https://ustraveldocs.com/in or to view availability of dates.  

According to overseas education consultants, with such an announcement there has been a last minute rush among students to apply for visa appointments. However, due to the Covid pandemic restrictions, most of the centres are working on limited manpower, leading to limited capacity. Yet, consultants believe most of the students are likely to make it on time before the Fall semester begins in the US universities.

"Firstly, most of the terms at the US universities will begin in September. Secondly, all visa slots currently are meant for students travelling to the US. Hence, we are asking students to not wait but apply for visa appointments as soon as possible. We are confident that most of the students should be able to make it on time for the Fall semester," said Sumeet Jain, co-founder of Yocket, one of the leading overseas education services providers.

According to Study Group's Executive Vice President for HE North America (HENA) and Director, New Business Josh Rubin, the overseas education consulting firm is witnessing an "unprecedented surge"  in applications from Indian students wishing to study in the US.

Students beginning a new programme with a programme start date on or after August 1 need to be ready with their I20 forms provided by their universities in order to apply for a visa. Such students may travel to the US up to 30 days prior to the program start date.

However, according to consultants like Akshay Chaturvedi, founder and CEO, Leverage Edu, another leading study abroad platform, students who began booking appointments on Monday June 14 were receiving dates as early as July 7 for biometric appointment and July 9 for their interviews.

"Given this trend and considering a month from the date of interview, students have ample time to begin their studies in the US. Moreover, even the US universities have been quite cooperative and more than willing to help students with their I20 forms to ensure their timely arrival to campuses," said Chaturvedi.

On their part, students are also willing to take up interview appointments in non-resident states. "Our students in Delhi are also open to taking up appointments in Mumbai and Chennai and vice versa," Chaturvedi added.

Meanwhile, students do not need to furnish any formal proof of vaccination but only need to provide a negative RT-PCR test 72 hours prior to departure. However, the same does not hold true for universities. With the US education system operating independently from the federal government, universities are adopting varying strategies when it comes to Covid vaccination, with some insisting on getting vaccinated on campus.