H1B, H2B, H4, L, J categories in excepted categories may also apply.
There is some good news for thousands of Indians students who have been admitted to US colleges waiting to get their visas stamped.
With fall classes set to begin the US next month, US missions in five Indian cities will begin processing student and academic exchange visitor visa applications on a limited basis from Aug 17.
“Student visas are a high priority, and we will make every effort to assist student visa applicants in a timely fashion, while keeping our customers and staff safe,” the US Embassy in New Delhi announced.
Consular sections at its missions in New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata will first process emergency appointment requests received prior to Aug 12 and then offer public appointments.
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Prospective students and exchange visitors should schedule an appointment no more than three weeks prior to their class start date, the embassy said expecting appointment slots to be filled quickly.
However, due to its very limited appointment availability, the missions, it said will not be able to accommodate all requests in time for the start of the fall semester.
“We will try to handle requests based on when we receive them and when classes will start.”
The US missions will remain closed for routine immigrant and nonimmigrant visa services. The embassy said it was unable to provide a specific date when routine services would be resumed.
Applicants for H1B, H2B, H4, L and certain J categories covered by President Donald Trump’s June 22 proclamation should request an appointment only if they qualify for one of the exceptions listed here: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news.htm.
The purpose of one’s intended travel and other facts will determine what type of visa is required under US immigration law, the embassy said.
The MRV fee is valid and may be used to schedule an interview appointment in the country where it was purchased within one year of the date of payment, it said.