US issues record 55,000 student visas to Indians

New Delhi: The United States on Monday announced that its embassy and consulates in India “approved more student visa applicants in 2021 than ever before, despite the global Covid-19 pandemic”. More than 55,000 students and exchange visitors “are boarding planes to study in the US, and more students are being approved every day (and) the US Mission looks forward to another great student season as it facilitates study for spring semester students,” a US embassy statement said.

New Delhi, Aug. 24: The United States on Monday announced that its Embassy and Consulates in India “approved more student visa applicants in 2021 than ever before, despite the global Covid pandemic”. More than 55,000 students and exchange visitors “are boarding planes to study in the United States, and more students are being approved every day (and) the U.S. Mission looks forward to another great student season as it facilitates study for spring semester students over the coming few months”, a US Embassy statement went. The US Embassy also said, “Interested students can also participate in upcoming Education USA University Virtual Fairs, to be held on Friday, August 27, for prospective graduate students and Friday, September 3, for prospective undergraduate students. These fairs provide a unique opportunity for Indian students to engage with U.S. university representatives and EducationUSA advisers to better understand the wide spectrum of educational opportunities available in the United States.

As the summer student rush dissipates, the Mission will turn its energy and effort to other visa categories.” It further said that for more information on “how to make dreams of U.S. study a reality, including information on academic consultations during the college application process”, students could access the following website: https://educationusaindia.usief.org.in/

Elaborating on the challenges faced, the US Embassy said, “The COVID-19 pandemic created tremendous logistical challenges for the U.S. Mission’s consular teams. Embassies and Consulates typically begin interviewing fall semester students for a given year in May, but the second wave of coronavirus forced the Mission to delay the commencement of its student visa season by two months.