After receiving an offer from a U.S. school, students need to apply for a visa. Here, we provide an overview of the latest U.S. student visa policies to help you better understand the process. Let’s take a look!
2024 Latest U.S. Student Visa Policies
1. Mandatory Interviews for Chinese Passport Holders
Starting in 2024, all students holding a Chinese passport will be required to undergo an interview. This interview will be conducted by an officer reviewing the DS-160 form issued by the U.S. Department of State. Interviewees are not allowed to bring any tools, laptops, or mobile phones. This new rule aims to prevent fraudulent applications or hidden information.
2. Increase in Identity Verification Fees
The U.S. government has announced that starting in 2024, the identity verification fees for international students will increase. Currently, the fee is $160, and it will rise by 7%, bringing the new fee to $172. Students will need to pay this fee when applying for their visa.
3. Suspension of Visa Waiver Program
Previously, students applying for a study visa could use the waiver mechanism declared by the U.S. government. This policy was particularly important for students with financial difficulties. However, starting in 2023, the waiver program has been suspended. The U.S. government has indicated that this policy may resume soon, depending on the development of the pandemic situation.
4. Changes to the I-20 Form
In 2023, the U.S. government will update the I-20 form to better understand the status of international students. The I-20 form is essential for applying for admission and visas. Future requirements will include more detailed information about the applicant’s parents’ occupations, financial status, family life, and views on domestic education.
U.S. Student Visa Approval Rates
Although the number of applicants to the U.S. is high, the visa approval rate is encouraging, reaching 98%. However, there are still a few applicants who are denied visas.
According to the U.S. embassy’s regulations, students can apply for a visa within 365 days before the start date of their school courses. For international students enrolling this fall, it is crucial to apply early. Due to the embassy’s visa quota limits, the approval rate is relatively higher from April to June. Additionally, many high school seniors and college seniors prefer to apply for visas around mid-June. If there are any mistakes or issues during the initial visa application, there will still be time to submit a second application.