What to do if your US F-1 Study Visa is delayed?
Delay in processing your US F-1 Study Visa can impact your study abroad plans - our guide enables you to understand these delays, and plan the next steps.
Why might my F-1 Study Visa application be delayed?
Since the United States Government resumed F-1 Study Visa applications and interviews after the most strict COVID-19 lockdown measures were lifted, there have been numerous delays affecting the processing of new tourism and study visas.
Your F-1 study visa could be delayed due to a number of reasons that, unfortunately, may or may not be within your control.
Common reasons for your study visa being delayed are:
Security checks, including:
Your field of study
Your name
Your country of birth
Your citizenship or nationality
Embassy or Consulate delays, including:
COVID-19 outbreaks
Local unrest or security concerns causing closures
Incoming workload
What do I need to know about US Embassy closures?
While a majority of US Embassies and Consulates closed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, a majority have since resumed operations and are now processing applications.
The Bureau of Consular Affairs, within the US Department of State, offers an online list of US Embassies and Consulates which can be visited here. Each individual branch or office has particular details around their operations.
Where can I check US visa processing times?
What is the usual F-1 visa processing time?
Typically, a US F-1 Visa requires a processing time between 5-6 weeks from interview to completion.
As of December 2022, a current aggregate view of visa application times from all US Embassies and Consulates operating around the world indicates a minimum 28 day wait, which amounts to 4 weeks.
When will my US Embassy reopen?
While a majority of US Embassies and Consulates have re-opened, some may still remain closed or have had their operations temporarily suspended.
Boundless.com maintains a list of operational US Embassies and Consulates with descriptions of what services are currently available.
How do I inform my school of a delay?
Should I change my travel plans?
Without a valid F-1 visa, you will not be allowed entry into the United States and in turn won’t be able to start your intended study programme.
Changing your travel plans to accommodate when your F-1 visa will be issued is the best course of action to take. Many major airlines will offer flight rebooking services through either a penalty fee or for free if you have taken cancellation insurance beforehand.
Will a delay in obtaining my visa affect my Prodigy Finance loan application process?
If you have actively applied for a Prodigy Finance student loan to fund your masters degree abroad and have a delay in securing an interview for your visa, we’re here to help you.
If you’ve begun uploading your documents to confirm your Prodigy Finance loan, let us know if your visa has been delayed so we can make any necessary adjustments to accommodate your application.
If you have an approved loan with us and your loan agreement has been made available to you for signing, but you are experiencing a delay in obtaining your visa, you'll need to reach out to us and inform us accordingly.
We may need to arrange a new signing date to accommodate this delay, which could affect our ability to disburse your funds on time - and potentially incur late payment penalty fees from your school. We’ll explain this process to you fully, and work with you to reach the best possible outcome.
What should I do if my visa has been rejected?
If your visa has been rejected and you’d like to appeal this decision, and simultaneously have a current loan application, you can reach out to us to let us know - we will consider your case individually and may place your application in a holding status. This will prevent your application from being withdrawn.
Lastly, if you’d like to withdraw your loan application, you’re also welcome to let us know your preference at any time - and remember, your Prodigy Finance loan will become binding only once you have signed your loan agreement and we have countersigned.
Chat to our mentors for study abroad advice
The Prodigy Finance Team is here to help with any questions that your mentor may not be able to answer.
Disclaimer:
The purpose of this guide is to provide students with an overview of some of the more prevalent types of visa to remain and work in the USA post study. Each student’s personal circumstances and requirements for entering and remaining in the US will determine which type of visa will be required by that person to enter and remain in the US. This guide is not directed at nor created for the benefit of any particular individual nor any relevant or particular matter and therefore does not constitute legal or immigration advice or as a substitute for the official information published by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) from time to time or any instructions and/or advice provided by US embassies and consuls. Whilst we have carefully compiled the guide in accordance with the information published by USCIS and other official sources, Prodigy Finance Limited does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, mistakes, omissions or outdated information in the guide and we encourage students and other readers to consult the USCIS’s website. Prodigy Finance Limited is not authorized by the Department of Justice (DOJ)’s Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) to provide immigration services and will not provide any additional information or assistance to any person to apply for any type visa.
