Hyderabad: US student visa applicants are in a quandary as the appointment waiting time at the Hyderabad Consulate General has increased by almost a year.
While placement wait times for other types of US visas are decreasing significantly, wait times for student visas have increased from 37 days in November 2022 to 331 days.
Even for the ‘Interview Waiver Students/Exchange Visitors’ visa type, the waiting time has increased from one to 64 days.
Due to an increase in US student visa appointment waiting time at Hyderabad Consulate
In US universities, there are three intakes, i.e., Fall (September intake), Winter (January intake), and Spring (May intake).
Waiting time has increased for students who have secured admission in Winter and Spring intake in US universities seeking a student visa at Hyderabad Consulate.
Wait times have also increased at other US consulates. It is 104 days in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata.
Steps taken to reduce waiting time To reduce the US student visa placement waiting time, the authorities have made more applicants eligible for interview waivers.
In addition, Dropbox cases are being sent overseas for adjudication.
Addressing the growing concern over the recent backlog of visa applications from countries like India,
State Department spokesman Ned Price told reporters that he understands the frustration of those who have to wait long.
“Visa processing is recovering faster than anticipated and in the coming year, we expect to reach pre-pandemic processing levels,” Price said.
“I can tell you that it is a priority for the secretary and the department to do everything we can to reduce that backlog and ultimately reduce wait times,”
They said. The dilemma prompts students to consider alternative options. Some students waiting for US visas have decided to move to other countries like Australia, the United Kingdom, etc.
Both pull and push factors are involved in student decisions. The long US visa appointment wait time is the push factor.
Some pull factors are the short processing period for UK student visas, no limit on working hours in Australia, etc.
