In the first phase, starting from May 20 to June 14, 2025, a limited number of visa interview appointments will be made available, mainly for early applicants who have confirmed their university admissions and are planning to travel in July or early August. This phase is aimed at helping students who are part of pre-orientation programs or those with early program start dates.
Following this, the second phase will roll out between June 15 and June 30, 2025, during which a wider batch of appointments will open up across all consular locations. This window will serve the majority of students who received I-20s from US universities during April and May and are now ready to proceed with their visa interviews.
The final and largest phase is scheduled from July 1 to August 15, 2025, catering to students with mid-to-late August start dates. This phase will see the maximum release of appointments, ensuring that the bulk of Fall 2025 applicants have a fair chance to book their slots.
In addition to the regular appointments, the Embassy confirmed that emergency visa interview requests will continue to be reviewed on a case-by-case basis throughout the season. Students with urgent or exceptional academic needs will still be able to apply for expedited appointments as per standard procedure.
The US Embassy has emphasized that appointments will not be released all at once, but rather in batches aligned with the above timelines. As a result, students are advised not to panic if slots are not immediately visible. The Embassy also issued a strong advisory urging students to avoid third-party travel agents or consultants, as many past applicants encountered problems due to incorrect or fraudulent bookings made through unauthorized channels. Instead, all students are encouraged to book directly through the official US Travel Docs portal, which will reflect real-time updates as each phase unfolds.
The announcement comes following the Embassy’s record-setting performance in 2024, where over 140,000 student visas were issued to Indian nationals, the highest number for any country. Given the growing interest in US higher education among Indian students, 2025 is expected to surpass last year’s figures, and the Embassy has expressed confidence in accommodating the rising demand.
Students planning to apply for an F-1 visa should begin preparing their application materials, including their I-20 form, SEVIS fee payment confirmation, DS-160 form, financial documents, and passport, well in advance of their expected interview phase. They are also encouraged to frequently check the official appointment portal starting May 20 and monitor their eligible release windows accordingly.
The phased release plan announced by the US Embassy provides clarity and structure for Indian students aiming to study in the US. By planning carefully and staying updated through official sources, students can successfully navigate the appointment process and take the next big step in their academic journey.
