US embassy to start giving student visa interview slots from today: Report

On Monday, June 14, the embassy will open the interview slots for July and August for student visa applicants, Heflin said, according to the media report.

The students will not require any proof of Covid-19 vaccination to enter US. They will need only a negative Covid-19 test taken within 72 hours prior to the departure.

He also said students returning to campuses to attend academic programmes in the United States that resume on or after August 1 may travel 30 days before the programme resumes, the report said.

Such students can discuss their specific resumption plans with their respective universities to arrive at a travel plan, he said, the report informed.

The interview for student visa applicants is likely to start from July 1 for two months, he said.

While proof of vaccination is not necessary and only a negative Covid test report taken within 72 hours of the flight departure will be enough to enter the United States, individual institutes may set their own requirements, Helfin said. Hence, it would be advisable for the students to to consult closely with their host Institution to ensure compliance with individual vaccination requirements, he added,  according to the media report.

He pointed out that the US education system operates independently from the Federal government and there are 4,500 accredited universities in the US that operate autonomously.

Parents willing to accompany students to the United States will be treated as tourist and pursuant to presidential proclamation 10199 tourist travel remains prohibited at the moment, he said.