Hyderabad: The US Consulate General in Hyderabad has announced the opening of slots for student visa interviews on Monday. Applicants can visit the Visa Application Centre at Madhapur metro station at their allotted time slots for verification of documents and interviews. The two-step visa application process includes a biometric check and a brief interview with a visa officer.
Students planning to pursue higher studies in the US must apply for F1 visas at least six to eight months from the beginning of their courses. Last year saw a 60 per cent surge in visa applications in all categories compared to 2022. The consulate issued 1,40,000 student visas in 2023, maintaining a record of three consecutive years.
The visa interview, typically lasting three to four minutes, focuses on three main aspects: students’ eligibility criteria (which should match the course they have applied for), financial capability to fund their stay in the US, and intent to return to India after their studies.
Documents required also need to substantiate these aspects. The applicants must carry with them personal identification documents such as a passport, visa interview appointment letter, DS-160 confirmation slip (with a clearly visible barcode), and SEVIS fee receipt.
Also, educational documents including academic transcripts (class 10th and 12th certificates and mark sheets), GRE or GMAT scores for graduate courses, SAT scores for undergraduate admissions, IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE scorecards, Bachelor's degree or provisional degree certificates as well as as financial documents such as loan approval letter, savings bank account statement, fixed deposit certificates or any other evidence of financial support during students’ stay in the US.
Visa applications will be accepted through May, June, and even into July for courses beginning in September. Due to the high volume of applicants, traffic congestion is expected near the centre.
