US visa update – Students can now apply for F1 visa a year before their classes start

The United States Department of State has announced an important update that will provide much-needed relief for foreign students hoping to study in the US. An important update that will give overseas students hoping to study in the US much-needed respite has been announced by the US Department of State. With the update, prospective F-1 visa candidates can now apply for their visa up to 365 days before the start of their academic session. Previously, I-20 applications could only be granted 4-6 months prior to the start of the term, and visa interviews could only be booked up to 120 days beforehand. 

The update benefits students by giving them extra time to plan and apply for their visas as universities now accept and issue I-20 applications 12–14 months before the term begins. However, they will only be able to travel to the US on a visa 30 days prior to the start of their program. 

The United States has been working to reduce wait times for visa processing as some applicants have to wait over two years for visa appointments.

The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced a number of measures over the past few months to shorten the processing time. They include plans to allow local stamping of H-1B renewals as well as special interview times and interview waivers for some candidates.

At this point, a US Visa official stated that India is the US’ top priority and that nationwide visa processing has increased by about 36% since the COVID outbreak.