Apr 17, 2023
The U.S. Department of State has announced new updates for international students looking forward to study in the USA.
With the Fall 2023 academic intake around the corner, it is essential for international students to know about these updates.
So, without any further ado, let’s check what these updates are.
The first update is pertaining to the revised student visa processing fees. As announced recently, the U.S. Department of State will increase visa processing fees. This change will be effective from the 30th of May 2023 and the visa application fees at the U.S. consulates abroad will increase from $160 to $185. This revised visa processing fee is for F-1 and J-1 non-immigrant visas.
The second update is related to the DS-2019 Electronic issuance. Effective from the 27th of April 2023, the U.S. Department of State announced that the state will permit digital signatures and electronic issuance of DS-2019s for J-1 students. Earlier, the program sponsors had to mail paper copies of this Form to prospective exchange visitors. This digital change will give J-1 students the same facility as F-1 students to receive an electronic form. This change removes the requirement to mail forms abroad for a visa appointment. With this revised change, applicants can now use digital signature software to sign Forms DS-2019 and then electronically transmit them.
Finally, the application window has been expanded by the US Department of State for F and M visas to up to 365 days before the academic term begins. However, students will not be permitted to enter the United States more than 30 days before the start date.
Note: To know more about this update, you can read our previous news write up with all the necessary guidelines about this new processing timeline for student visas
So, these are the latest changes that the Department of State has announced for US Student Visas.
We hope these updates will save your time to prepare and apply for your US student visa. Connect to KC’s US Experts and apply to top universities in the USA for the upcoming intakes. Our US counsellors will help you shortlist the right universities as per your profile and eligibility.
Plan your overseas education in a hassle-free manner with KC Overseas Education.