The US State Department has announced changes in the Visa application process for international students, including Kenyan applicants, to study abroad.
The announcement was made on Wednesday, June 7th by the Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who spoke at the National Association of Foreign Student Advisers (NAFSA) conference in Washington DC.
Blinken noted that the new process will allow international students to apply for Visas without the need for an interview. He added that the development marked a significant departure from the traditional procedures that required an interview for an application to be completed.
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Further, the department extended the timeframe for filing Visa application forms to a full year – up from the previous 120-day limit. In addition to the Visa reforms, Blinken stated that the US government was actively seeking partnerships with other administrations to cultivate more opportunities for international students to study abroad.
“At the State Department, we are working to expand international education. After the acute phase of the pandemic ended, more and more international students began applying to study in the US again. We took steps to streamline our visa process and make it easier for students to apply,” he stated.
He lauded associations such as NAFSA for providing students with the requisite information about international opportunities and hosting student exchange programs.
Raghwa Gopal, the CEO of M Square Media who attended the event, hailed the US administration’s efforts as a pivotal step in increasing study abroad programs.
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“These changes are a testament to the shifting landscape of global education. The streamlining of the visa process and emphasis on inclusion are pivotal steps forward.”
“By eliminating the minimum length requirement for various scholarship programs, the US is opening doors to international education for students who may have previously been excluded due to familial or work obligations. This will indeed benefit students from all regions, including Africa,” he stated.
Gopal opined that short-study programs would be beneficial to students by equipping them with the opportunity for further international engagement.
“Short-term programs can often serve as a springboard for further international engagement. They have the potential to break down barriers and inspire students to explore more opportunities,” he pointed out.
The academic student program allows international students to enter the US as full-time students at an accredited college, university, high school, or other academic programs. The institution must be authorized by the US government to accept international students and the course must be enrolled in a program that culminates in a degree, diploma, or certificate.
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