The announcement that Indian students will not require COVID-19 vaccine certificates to enter the United States came as a relief to the community.
The announcement was made by Don Heflin, the Minister Counsellor for Consular Affairs at the US Embassy in New Delhi.
&ldquoStudent visas remain a top priority for the U.S. Mission to India and we are making every attempt to facilitate student travel in time for the fall semester,&rdquo the US Embassy said in a release.
On June 14, 2021, they opened limited July and August student visa appointments at posts across India.
Students have asked to visit the website to view availability and schedule an appointment.
Students returning to academic programmes in the US  that resume on or after August 1 may travel to the country up to 30 days before the programme resumes, according to media reports.
While students will not have to submit proof of vaccination, they will have to show proof of negative COVID-19 test or Recovery test. They need to get tested no more than three days before they travel by air into the US and show their negative result to the airline before boarding the flight, or be prepared to show documentation of recovery (proof of a recent positive viral test and a letter from the healthcare provider or a public health official stating that they were cleared to travel). This rule applies to all international air passengers arriving in the US.
However, students have been advised to check with their individual schools or institutions if they have mandatory pandemic control regulations in place, including proof of vaccination certificates.