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    Embassies and consulates · Saudi Arabia · Riyadh

    Student and exchange visas at Riyadh

    As of September 17, 2026, the State Department lists a 15 days wait for the next student and exchange visa appointment at Riyadh, against a median of 15 days. 0 of 186 posts list a shorter wait.

    Source: U.S. Department of State: Global Visa Wait Times · Published 2026-09-17 · Retrieved 2026-10-15 · Coverage 2026-09-17

    Riyadh student wait over time

    Riyadh has ranged same day to 2 months across 24 months on record, so treat today's figure as a snapshot rather than a guarantee. The median over that time was 15 days.

    Jul 24same day – 2 monthsSep 26

    Source: U.S. Department of State: Global Visa Wait Times · Published 2026-09-17 · Retrieved 2026-09-17 · Coverage 2022-11/2026-09

    Check whether a Riyadh appointment fits your program start date →

    The same wait elsewhere in Saudi Arabia

    Student and exchange (F, M, J), from the same State Department table. Applicants can usually interview at any post in their country of residence.

    Student and exchange visas issued at Riyadh

    Riyadh issued 57 student and exchange visas in February 2026, 71% fewer than February 2025 (194). 1,917 over the past 12 months (sum of monthly reports, not an official total). The count covers F-1, M-1, J-1 and their dependants.

    Nonimmigrant visas issued at Riyadh each month, October 2022 to February 2026. The monthly figures are listed below the chart.02004006008002023202420252026
    Monthly figures
    MonthVisas issued
    Feb 202657
    Jan 202674
    Dec 2025170
    Nov 2025114
    Oct 202590
    Sep 2025104
    Aug 2025243
    Jul 2025322
    Jun 2025214
    May 2025193
    Apr 2025187
    Mar 2025149
    Feb 2025194
    Jan 2025154
    Dec 2024329
    Nov 2024219
    Oct 2024189
    Sep 2024200
    Aug 2024261
    Jul 2024467
    Jun 2024508
    May 2024715
    Apr 2024352
    Mar 2024274
    Feb 2024119
    Jan 2024131
    Dec 2023398
    Nov 2023171
    Oct 2023187
    Sep 202393
    Aug 2023407
    Jul 2023495
    Jun 2023248
    May 2023343
    Apr 2023196
    Mar 2023322
    Feb 2023163
    Jan 2023381
    Dec 2022599
    Nov 2022401
    Oct 2022303
    Visa classFeb 2026Feb 2025Past 12 monthsSum of monthly reports, not an official total
    F1Academic student23981,116
    F2Academic student's spouse or child1967385
    J1Exchange visitor510273
    M1Vocational student101887
    J2Exchange visitor's spouse or child0153
    M2003

    Sources: U.S. Department of State: Monthly Immigrant Visa Issuances and U.S. Department of State: Monthly Nonimmigrant Visa Issuances · Retrieved 2026-10-15 · Coverage 2022-10/2026-02

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    Student and exchange (F, M, J): 15 days now

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    What F-1 Student Visa applicants report being asked

    These figures come from 440 interview reports that applicants shared publicly, at every post rather than Riyadh alone. They describe who chose to report, not every applicant.

    53%

    Education questions

    In about 235 reports

    31%

    Financial questions

    In about 135 reports

    21%

    Employment questions

    In about 90 reports

    Source: Visa Interviews Research release 2026.07.18-us-v1 · Published 2026-07-18 · Coverage 2024-03 to 2026-07Every F-1 Student Visa finding →

    Other visas at Riyadh

    Where these figures come from

    The State Department publishes each of these separately, on its own schedule. We show each one with its own date and never add figures from one to another.