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In an effort to curb fraud and misuse of the appointment system, the United States has announced a new policy that will come into effect starting November 27.
Under this policy change, all applicants for F, M, and J student visas will be required to add their own passport details when creating a profile and scheduling their visa appointment. Individuals who have generated a profile or booked an appointment with an incorrect passport number will not be accommodated at the Visa Application Centers (VAC).
“Regrettably, their appointments will be canceled, and the visa fee forfeited,” the US Embassy in India said.
Applicants facing this situation must take corrective action. They can either establish a new profile with the accurate passport information or access an existing profile containing the correct details to schedule an appointment. Importantly, if the previous receipt is linked to a profile with inaccurate passport information, a new visa fee receipt must be obtained.
For those who have recently renewed their passport or acquired a new one due to loss or theft of the old passport, presenting a photocopy or other evidence of the old passport number will allow them to proceed with their appointment. This measure aims to ensure the integrity of the visa application process and enhance security against fraudulent activities.
For the third consecutive year, the United States reported a big increase in the number of Indian students opting for higher education in the country. The Open Doors Report (ODR) revealed a 35 per cent surge in the influx of international students from India to the United States, resulting in an all-time high enrollment of 2,68,923 students in the academic year 2022-23.
Indian students now constitute over 25 per cent of the one million-plus foreign students enrolled in US institutions. India surpassed China as the leading source of international graduate students in the United States for the first time since 2009/10. The number of Indian graduate students has surged by an impressive 63 per cent, reaching 165,936 students—an increase of nearly 64,000 students compared to the previous year. Additionally, the count of Indian undergraduate students has risen by 16 per cent.
ODR data also underscores India’s prominence in the number of individuals (69,062) engaging in optional practical training (OPT), a form of temporary work permission providing eligible students with real-world experience in line with their field of study.
During the primary student visa season of June-August 2023, the US Embassy and Consulates in India witnessed a historic issuance of student visas. Consular officers issued an impressive 95,269 visas in the F, M, and J categories, marking an 18 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2022. This surge in student visas emphasizes the growing enthusiasm among Indian students to pursue educational opportunities in the United States.
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