A lot of students from India have been waiting to travel to the US. The US embassy is, therefore, gearing up to hold more visa interviews than it did before the pandemic said a top official at the US Embassy in India. As the total number of cases drop in India after the second wave, the US government is looking to re-start the immigration process.
Thousands Of Students Got Visa Appointments For July And August
Minister-Counselor, Consular Affairs at the US Embassy told CNBC TV18 .”Our goal is to interview as many people as we did in 2019 which was a normal year. We scraped up resources to do that and we are very sure of doing 2019 numbers and exceed it by a bit.”
Although the immigration process started off late this year, the US embassy is going to be prompt in issuing visas to students from July. Thousands of students got visa appointments for July and August. The US has relaxed norms for vaccinated tourists from certain countries.
Also read: Need To Travel To The US? Know The Latest Protocols & Guidelines For Indians
Need an earlier student visa appointment? Do not despair. We will be adding additional July appointments soon. Please do not submit an emergency appointment request. We cannot accommodate the volume of requests.
— U.S. Embassy India (@USAndIndia) June 17, 2021
Vaccination Not Required To Travel To US
The US government does not have a vaccine passport yet and so, the CDC has mandated an RTPCR test within three days of travel. However, the vaccine is not required. However, certain universities and schools have their own vaccine requirement which you should check. If you are not vaccinated, many universities are taking the initiative to get you jabbed first.
Also read: Your Digital Vaccine Pass Can Be Used For Check-In For Lufthansa Flights Now
Need an earlier student visa appointment? Do not despair. We will be adding additional July appointments soon. Please do not submit an emergency appointment request. We cannot accommodate the volume of requests.
— U.S. Embassy India (@USAndIndia) June 17, 2021
Those concerned about the lack of international flights and travel restrictions, can talk to the universities and plead with them to turn up a little late. The US embassy is also issuing H1B visas under National Interest Exception so the H1B visas will be a priority after the student visa process is over.