An informal guidance from the Bureau of Consular Office was released to guide U.S. visa applicants worldwide.

This guidance clarifies that students applying for F or M visas may do so and need not qualify for the national interest exception. In India, if a student is within 60 days of the start date of the program, s/he may request for an expedited appointment using the option provided on www.ustraveldocs.com/in. 

It is important to remember that if one is granted an urgent appointment, it does not guarantee issuance of visa. Applicant(s) would still have to establish eligibility for the requested class of visa for the same to be issued.

We urge eligible students to start the application process early.