Student Visa (F1, F2, M1, M2)

Consulate : Chennai, India.

I am a PhD student and I got 221-g during my first VISA interview in 2011. It took 4 weeks for the security clearance before getting my VISA, and the VISA stamping mentions ‘Security Clearance Received’. I went for the VISA renewal in March 2015, since an F1 VISA with 221-g is valid only for 4 years for Indian students (5 years otherwise). I got 221-g again. During the interview, the interviewer asked a few questions about what I work on, when will I graduate, etc. He said I will get the VISA, but it will require some administrative procedures just like the first time. He further asked for a hard copy of the following documents : i) CV ii) Summary of Research. I didn’t take them with me, so I asked him if I can submit them later in the day. He said I can submit them at the VISA application Center and he kept my passport with him. I submitted the required documents at the VISA application center on the same day; and I got the VISA in 2 days. The new VISA says ‘Prior Security Clearance Received in 2011’. I guess my application didn’t go through the security clearance all over again, since my status hasn’t changed (same university, degree, and program). I was expecting a processing time of a couple of weeks, but it got over in a couple of days.

I was asked for a hard copy because of some technical glitch in their email server. Otherwise, we are supposed to email them the required documents. Nevertheless, taking a hard copy helps.