F-1 Visa Wait Times and Key Steps for International Students

Sat, 25 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

International students applying for F-1 visas at the U.S. consulate in Mumbai face a 60-day wait time, with the critical May 1 deposit date approaching. This timeline can significantly affect visa interview scheduling, potentially pushing appointments into August for those who delay their application steps.

Key Details:

Current F-1 visa wait time at Mumbai consulate: 60 days
May 1 deposit deadline is in 7 days
Step 1: Submit I-20 request immediately after deposit; schools issue I-20 only after deposit clearance.
Total government fees before orientation: $535, excluding deposit, flights, and housing.

The outlined steps emphasize the importance of timely action for international students to avoid delays in their visa processing, which can impact their academic plans in the U.S.

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F-1 Visa Wait Times and Key Steps for International Students