2006 DOS Student Visa Cable

The Department of State's annual “student visa cable,” sent to consular posts on May 3, 2006, reviews prior guidance on student visa issuance. The 2006 cable reminds consular officers that:

• When examining a student’s intent to depart the after a course of study, focus on the applicant’s immediate and near-term intent, remembering that by nature foreign students stay in the for extended periods of time.
• Since academic institutions have already determined that the student is qualified to enroll in school, as a general rule consular officers should not question the school's judgement. Students should be able to articulate their reasons fo rentering their field of study and choosing to study at a particular institution.
• Focus on the student and not the institution during adjudication…Consular officers should not second-guess a student's choice of school, and they should not deny a visa based solely on the student’s choice of a particular academic institution.
• Student visas may now be issued up to 120 days before the program start date. Posts may accept applications for adjudication and processing even before the 120-day period, but may not issue the actual visa until 120 days before the start of studies.
• DOS supports the efforts of consular posts to make visa interviews available to student on a priority basis, and posts should continue to expedite student and exchange visitor applications as necessary. AMDOC #: 200606001