If you’re an F-1 Visa applicant in India who has completed a successful interview (Consular Appointment) at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate location, or submitted your documents (Dropbox Appointment) at a Visa Application Center, here are various methods to monitor the status of your visa application and your passport.

Visa Application Status

Individuals applying for an F-1 Visa can verify the status of their visa application online by accessing the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC) website. Choose ‘Non-Immigrant Visa (NIV)’ as your visa application type from the dropdown menu, indicate your Consular Appointment (Visa Interview) location (or VAC location for Dropbox Appointment holders), and input your DS-160 Application ID from your confirmation page.

Please be advised: If you were issued a slip from the U.S. Consulate indicating ‘administrative processing’ or ‘221G,’ kindly input the Case Number instead of the DS-160 Application ID to monitor the status of your F-1 Visa Application.

Here are some possible statuses of your F-1 Visa application:

Application Receipt Pending

‘Application Receipt Pending’ indicates that your visa application has not yet been logged into the Embassy or Consulate’s database. This status will persist until you either attend the in-person visa interview or submit your documents.

Application Received

This status signifies that your visa application is prepared for your interview and biometrics, and necessitates the submission of your requisite documentation. For Dropbox Appointment holders, ‘Application Received’ denotes that the U.S. Embassy or Consulate has received and is assessing your application documents.

Administrative Processing

‘Administrative Processing’ denotes that your case is currently undergoing review with the US Embassy or Consulate, and no decision has been reached regarding your visa application. Should your visa officer provide specific instructions during your interview or request additional information/documentation, it is imperative that you adhere to these instructions and furnish the Embassy/Consulate with all requested materials.

Issued

If your visa application status indicates ‘Issued,’ it indicates that the Embassy or Consulate has completed processing your visa application and has granted you a student visa. The issuance of your visa and passport with the visa stamp can take anywhere from 2 to 14 days. If you do not receive your passport with the visa stamp within this timeframe, you should reach out to the Embassy/Consulate/VAC location where you initially submitted your application for further details.

Refused

Regrettably, if your visa application status shows ‘Refused,’ it means that the Embassy or Consulate has completed processing your visa application and has declined to issue you an F-1 Visa. You must reach out to the U.S. authority that assessed your application to obtain additional clarification regarding your visa denial.

Passport Tracking Options

If you are in the process of applying for an F-1 Visa in India and have submitted your passport, there are various methods available to track its location.

Kindly note: The US Embassy or Consulate locations are unable to assist you with inquiries regarding the status of your passport, and it’s advised to refrain from contacting them regarding this matter.

You can utilize this link and input the Passport Number found on your passport ID page into the designated ‘Passport Number’ field to verify the delivery status of your passport. Additionally, you can log into your CGI Federal account or email passportstatus@ustraveldocs.com for passport tracking purposes. When sending an email, ensure that you enter the valid Passport Number precisely as it appears on your passport ID page, maintaining the same format used during your visa application and appointment. Exclude any email signatures or extraneous text from the email body, and you will receive an automatic response containing the current delivery status of your passport.

Related Post : Avoiding Mistakes on the DS-160 Application Form