US Senators Urge State Department to Address Student Visa Delays
WASHINGTON — A group of 30 U.S. senators is urging the State Department to address delays in student and exchange visitor visas, warning that some applicants may not be able to enter the country before the start of the new academic year.
Sen. Alex Padilla of California, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, led the lawmakers in raising concerns about limited appointment availability for F, M and J visas at some U.S. embassies and consulates.
“We urge the State Department to ensure timely processing of F, M, and J student and exchange visitor nonimmigrant visas, consistent with the approach taken by administrations of both parties in the past, and to implement other measures to avoid diminishing US competitiveness,” the senators wrote in a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
The lawmakers said they had heard from constituents and other stakeholders that some diplomatic posts were not offering appointments soon enough for students to complete the visa process before their academic programs begin.
“Specifically, we are hearing from constituents and stakeholders that no timely visa appointments are available for students at some embassies and consulates,” they wrote. “This only exacerbates uncertainty about whether students’ visas will be processed in time for them to travel to the United States to begin their studies.”
The issue could have particular significance for students from India, one of the largest sources of international students at U.S. colleges and universities. The senators’ letter did not identify which countries or diplomatic missions were experiencing the most serious appointment shortages.
The lawmakers warned that prolonged delays could disrupt universities and weaken the pipeline of international students and skilled workers entering the United States.
They called on the State Department to prioritize interviews, adjudications and processing for student visas, while also extending interview waivers for eligible returning students, ensuring adequate staffing at consular posts and providing clearer information about processing times.
The senators also asked whether the department’s visa-processing priorities had changed since the spring and summer of 2025 and sought details about how interview appointments are allocated among different visa categories.
They requested average processing times for F, M and J visas at the five diplomatic posts handling the largest number of such applications since September 2025.
The lawmakers also raised questions about enhanced screening procedures introduced last year, including reviews of applicants’ online activity. They asked how many student and exchange visitor visa applications had been denied under the additional vetting requirements and what resources had been devoted to the screening process.
“International students are critical to the success of our universities, including contributing nearly $43 billion annually to local communities and supporting more than 355,000 American jobs during the 2024-2025 academic year,” the senators wrote.
“International students also improve our national security by fostering global relationships, cross cultural understanding, and long-lasting diplomatic ties. These benefits are at risk if visa processing delays persist.”
The senators said international students make up about 6 percent of the U.S. higher education population while generating tuition revenue that can help universities expand educational opportunities for American students.
The letter was 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 Sen. Angus King also signed the letter. (Source: IANS)
