Washington, August 12, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
A group of 30 US senators has urged the State Department to address delays in student and exchange visitor visa processing, warning that applicants may not be able to enter the country in time for the new academic year.
Senator Alex Padilla of California, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, led the lawmakers in raising concerns over a lack of timely appointments for F, M and J visas at some US embassies and consulates.
In a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the senators urged the department to ensure timely processing of student and exchange visitor visas and take measures to protect the competitiveness of US higher education.
The lawmakers said they were hearing from constituents and other stakeholders that students in some locations could not secure visa appointments in time, creating uncertainty over whether they would be able to travel to the US for their studies.
The issue could have significant implications for Indian students, as India remains one of the major sources of international students at US universities. The letter, however, did not specify which countries or diplomatic posts were experiencing appointment shortages.
The senators called for priority processing of student visas, expanded interview waivers for vetted returning students, adequate consular staffing and greater transparency over processing timelines.
They also asked the State Department to provide data on average F, M and J visa processing times at the five locations handling the largest number of such applications since September 2025.
The lawmakers sought information on enhanced vetting procedures, including online-presence checks for student and exchange visitor applicants, and asked how many applications had been refused under the additional screening measures.
The senators said international students contributed nearly $43 billion to local US economies and supported more than 355,000 American jobs during the 2024-25 academic year.
They warned that prolonged visa delays could affect universities and the pipeline of skilled workers while undermining the broader educational and diplomatic benefits generated by international students.
The letter was also signed by Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin and senators including Cory Booker, Chris Coons, Tammy Duckworth, Andy Kim, Amy Klobuchar, Adam Schiff, Jeanne Shaheen, Chris Van Hollen, Raphael Warnock, Elizabeth Warren and Ron Wyden. Independent Senator Angus King also signed the letter.
FOLLOW NOW
