No change in Indian policy on F-1 student visa validity

There is news that the student visa validity will be reduced to two or three years from the existing validity of five years.

If I apply for fall 2016, what will be the approved validity and OPT period on my F1 visa?

Ram Sai

There has been no change in our policy on the F-1 student visa validity for Indian passport holders. For Indian passport holders, F-1 student visas are generally valid for five years from the start date of your programme.

However, although your student visa may be valid for five years, your stay in the United States on your student visa is dependent on your status as a student.

For example, if you have completed your study programme and all requirements in two years, then your student visa would no longer be valid.

My family members and I plan to visit the U.S. on tourist visas in May/June 2016. All our passports are valid until 2016. Can we attend the visa interviews with our existing passports?

 Or should we renew our passports next year after they expire and then attend the visa interviews?

S. Abdul Raheem

As long as your passports are valid for more than 6 months beyond the date you intend to enter the U.S., you may apply for a visa. Please visit www.ustraveldocs.com/in for further information.

I have scheduled my visa interview appointment in October. 

However, the DS-160 confirmation number is different in my appointment confirmation and DS-160 confirmation page. How can I change that?

Ramjeeram

Please log into your profile on www.ustraveldocs.com/in and fill in details of the correct DS-160 confirmation page. For assistance, call the call centre at 040-4625-8222 or 0120-4844644 or write in to support-india@ustraveldocs .com .

I heard that the validity of F1 visa has been reduced to two years. Is it true?

Praveen Sistu

Visa validity is based on the principle of reciprocity to the country you belong to. For Indian passport holders, F-1 student visas are generally valid for five years from the start date of your programme. There has been no change in our policy on the F-1 student visa validity for Indian passport holders.

I have to attend a conference, in November, in Houston. I have attended the visa interview in September.

When I check my case status online, it shows under administrative processing. How long will it take to approve my visa application?

P.V.S Subhashini

Administrative processing is a routine step that many applications are required to undergo before a final decision can be made.

Unfortunately, we cannot give a specific timeframe during which the processing will be completed. Continue to check the status of your case at https://ceac.state.gov/ CEAC/.

I am facing problems in logging the parameters required to retrieve my DS-160 application.

 I gave the same credentials as per the details I had saved while generating DS-160 and Stanley slip.

My visa interview date is approaching.

Is there a helpdesk that can help me in logging into my account so that I can complete my DS-160 form?

Agula Suresh

Kindly call the call centre at 040-4625-8222 and 0120-4844644 or write in to support-india@ustraveldocs.com , they will be able to assist you to log into your profile.