How long does it take to process a student visa for the USA?

Question

Anubhooti Dubey · Accepted Answer

The processing time for a U.S. student visa can vary, but typically, it takes a few weeks from start to finish. After receiving your Form I-20 from your school, you&rsquo;ll need to complete the DS-160 form, pay the SEVIS and visa fees, and book your visa interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate.
Once your interview is complete, the visa processing usually takes around 5-7 business days, but it can be longer during peak seasons.
It&rsquo;s always a good idea to start the process early, ideally three months before your course begins. This allows time for any unexpected delays or additional checks, especially since appointment availability can vary based on the embassy&rsquo;s workload. Planning early will give you a buffer and peace of mind before your intended travel date.
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S Raghav · Answer

The processing takes approximately 2-4 weeks for a U.S. student visa depending on the readiness of the embassy or the consulate and the time of the year. After submitting the DS-160 form, they will book an appointment for the visa interview for which you will go along, and they will assess the application. Once approved, usually it takes a little less than a week for a visa to be issued, in other cases, it's accompanied by administrative processing with added time to the initial duration.
It is wise to begin this visa process at least two to three months before one's program commences to allow for time to work through such delays and have the visa ready in good time in case of travel.