The Department of State's annual “student visa cable,” sent to consular posts on
- 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