Students scramble across country in search of ideal visa appointment dates

Embassies cite spike in applications; delay in announcing board results also affects foreign study plans

Delhi-based Avani recently had to travel to Kolkata for biometric and visa interviews for her US travel to avoid missing the Fall semester joining dates at Georgetown University.

“I could get biometrics and visa interview appointment dates for the end of July, which was not feasible for me. Due to under-staffed consular offices and the rush, especially among students flying overseas for further education, we were not getting the biometrics and visa interview appointment dates at our desired centres. Some of my friends had to travel to even Chennai for the same,” she told Business Standard.

Not just the inability