NEW DELHI:”Actively Working: US Diplomat On Indian Student Visa

NEW DELHI: The US mission in India is
“actively working” to accommodate as many student visa applicants as
possible in July and August, and facilitating their legitimate travel remained
a top priority for it, a senior American diplomat said on Sunday.

Don Heflin,
the Minister Counselor for Consular Affairs at the US embassy, also said that
the US-bound students will not require any proof of COVID-19 vaccination to
enter the country. They will need a negative report of their COVID-19 test
taken within 72 hours prior to their departure.

There has
been growing anxiety among a sizeable number of Indian students aspiring to fly
to the US for higher studies in view of certain restrictions in getting visa
appointments due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The
embassy will start giving visa interview slots for Indian students from Monday.

“We
recognise the stress and anxiety this has caused to students and their
families, and we are actively working to accommodate as many student visa
applicants as possible in July and August. Facilitating legitimate student
travel to the United States remains a top priority for the US Mission to
India,” Heflin told PTI in an interview.

The
official was asked about the rising uncertainty among the Indian students
wanting to travel to the US, which had imposed fresh travel restrictions in
May.

“Students
returning to academic programmes that resume on or after August 1 may travel to
the United States up to 30 days before the programme resumes. There is no
National Interest Exception required in this situation,” he said.

“We
recommend continuing students discuss their specific resumption plans with
their respective universities to develop a travel timeline,” Heflin said.

The
National Interest Exceptions (NIE) allow travel to the US for persons whose
entry is considered of national interest.

“We
intend to start an intensive two months of interviewing student visa applicants
on July 1. We will plan to open as many appointments as we can safely
accommodate, based on local pandemic conditions across India,” Heflin
said.

“Student
visa applicants do not need an expedited appointment to schedule their visa
interview. On June 14, we will open July and August appointments for
students,” he added.

Asked
about apprehensions relating to vaccination, the official said proof of
vaccination is not required to enter the United States.

“Please
note that proof of a negative COVID-19 test result, taken within 72 hours of
your flight”s departure, is required to board a flight and for entry into the
United States.

“While
proof of vaccination is not required to enter the United States, individual
schools or institutions may set their own requirements. The US education system
operates independently from the federal government, and students should consult
closely with their host institution to ensure compliance with individual
vaccination requirements,” he added.

Heflin
said there are more than 4,500 accredited universities in the US that operate
autonomously, and the policy adopted by one school for its students and
teaching community may not be the same as that for another one.

Asked if
an exception will be considered for a parent who wishes to accompany a student
headed to the US, the official said parents travelling to the country, in that
case, will be classified as tourists.

“Tourist
travel remains prohibited pursuant to Presidential Proclamation 10199,” he
said.

In view
of surging COVID-19 infections in India, President Joe Biden authorised a
travel ban for certain nonimmigrants from India under a Presidential
Proclamation that came into effect on May 4.

“Presidential
Proclamation 10199 only applies to non-citizens who have been physically
present in India within the 14 days preceding their application for entry to
the United States. The US Embassy and US Consulates do not provide advice on
specific travel planning,” the official said.

He was
asked if a student can fly to another country to apply for a US student visa,
and stay quarantined there for 14 days before entering the US.

“Please
note that F and M-visa holders travelling from India will be able to enter the
US within 30 days of a new programme start date or programme resumption date
that is on or after August 1. This means that some students will be eligible to
travel as early as July 2. No National Interest Exception is required in these
cases,” he said.

Heflin
said student visa applicants with a cancelled appointment will need to make a
new appointment and that new student visa appointments will be made available
on a first-come, first-served basis.

Asked if
dependents of someone having a valid H1B visa are considered for NIE waiver, he
said such people, who have definite plans to travel and can demonstrate their
qualification for an NIE, may contact the embassy or consulate.

He said
nonimmigrant visa holders, including those having H1-B and who are not subject
to Presidential Proclamation 10199 based on their familial relationship to a US
citizen or LPR (Lawful Permanent Resident) spouse or unmarried minor child do
not need an NIE.

“Such
travellers should bring proof of the qualifying relationship to present to
airline officials when initiating travel to the United States,” he said.

To a
query on whether immediate family members of a US citizen can get an expedited
visa if the US citizen is planning to travel soon, Heflin said expedited visa
appointments are adjudicated based on the applicant’s purpose of travel.

“Visa
applicants with an urgent need to travel to the US, for example, for lifesaving
medical treatment, may apply for an expedited visa appointment…

“Applicants
requesting an expedited appointment must also submit evidence that they are not
subject to Presidential Proclamation 10199 or may otherwise qualify for a national
interest exception from these travel restrictions,” he said.