US Allows Int’l Students to Apply for F-1 Visas 1 Yr Before Classes Begin

The U.S. Department of State has announced that international student aspirants looking for an F-1 visa will now be allowed to apply for the same up to 365 days ahead of their academic term. However, F-1 visa holders can only enter the country 30 days before the start of the program. 

Earlier, the student visa interviews could only be scheduled 120 days before the session started, and the I-20 form could only be issued four to six months ahead of the term. 

“F and M student visas can now be issued up to 365 days in advance of the I-20 program start date, allowing more time for students to apply for a visa. Students are still not allowed to enter the US on a student visa more than 30 days before their program start date,” the US Department of State wrote on Twitter.

The U.S. Department of State announced the news with immediate effect. The policy change will soon reflect on the Department of Homeland Security website.

Over the past few months, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced multiple steps to ease the student visa processing time, including interview waivers for some applicants, unique interview slots, and a plan to permit domestic stamping of H-1B renewals.