U.S.-bound Indian students need COVID-19 negative report taken 72 hours prior to departure: American diplomat

The U.S. mission in India is “actively working” to accommodate as many scholar visa candidates as potential in July and August, and facilitating their respectable journey remained a prime precedence for it, a senior American diplomat stated on June 13.

Don Heflin, the Minister Counselor for Consular Affairs on the U.S. embassy, additionally stated that the U.S.-bound students is not going to require any proof of COVID-19 vaccination to enter the nation. They will need a negative report of their COVID-19 check taken inside 72 hours prior to their departure.

There has been rising nervousness amongst a sizeable variety of Indian students aspiring to fly to the U.S. for greater research in view of sure restrictions in getting visa appointments due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The embassy will begin giving visa interview slots for Indian students from June 14.

“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 U.S. Mission to India,” Mr. Heflin advised PTI in an interview.

The official was requested in regards to the rising uncertainty among the many Indian students wanting to journey to the U.S., which had imposed contemporary journey 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 stated.

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

The National Interest Exceptions (NIE) enable journey to the U.S. for individuals whose entry is taken into account of nationwide curiosity.

“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,” Mr. Heflin stated.

“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 stated proof of vaccination shouldn’t be 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 U.S. 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.