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New Rule to Help International Students Obtain F and M Student Visas Announced by US State Department
USA
Others
About this opportunity
The U.S. Department of State has announced a significant change to the rule governing F and M student visas, which will allow applicants to apply for their visa up to 365 days before the start of their program. This is a notable improvement on the previous 120-day window, which had caused frustration for both applicants and Consular Officers.
International students applying for F-1 or M-1 visas this year are likely to benefit greatly from this change, particularly given the current visa backlogs that exist in many parts of the world. For example, students in Kathmandu, Nepal face a wait of 378 calendar days, while those in Dhaka, Bangladesh must wait 174 calendar days.
It is worth noting, however, that students are still not permitted to enter the U.S. on a student visa more than 30 days before the start of their program. This means that students and DSOs will need to plan carefully to ensure that they are able to obtain their visa in time to begin their studies.
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