If you want to be in the United States in summer 2027, or you are starting a US university course in August or September 2027, the time to plan is now.B1/B2 and student visa appointments are available in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. This timeline runs from October 2026 to August 2027 and shows what to do each month for visitors (B1/B2) and for students (F-1 and F-2).
Key dates for summer and fall 2027
| Date | What it means |
|---|---|
| Friday 2 July 2027 | Last day of the UAE school year, the usual start of family summer travel |
| Saturday 15 to Tuesday 18 May 2027 | Expected Eid al-Adha break, a popular window for a short US trip |
| August to September 2027 | Most US university programmes start |
| Up to 365 days before your course starts | The earliest an F-1 visa can be issued to a new student |
| Up to 30 days before your course starts | The earliest you may enter the US on a new F-1 visa |
Where you can interview while UAE services are suspended
B1/B2 and student visa appointments are available in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The US Department of State applies the same rule worldwide.Check the published wait time for that post before you plan, because waits differ widely between countries and change often.
If you hold a passport from a Visa Waiver Program country, you may not need an interview at all for a tourism or business trip. See our ESTA guide. ESTA does not cover study.
Timeline for summer visitors (B1/B2)
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| October to November 2026 | Check whether a visa you already hold is valid for your summer dates, and whether your passport is ESTA eligible. If neither, decide on the home-country route and look up that post’s current wait time. |
| December 2026 to January 2027 | Gather proof of ties to the UAE and of funds. Complete the DS-160 once you know where you will interview. Our guide to DS-160 mistakes covers the common errors. |
| February to April 2027 | Book the interview in your country of nationality and plan a trip home around it, ideally during Eid al-Fitr or the spring break so you do not use extra leave. |
| May 2027 | If you are still waiting for an interview, keep your US flights refundable. |
| June to August 2027 | Travel once your passport is returned with the visa. Keep copies of your ties documents for the border. |
Timeline for students starting in fall 2027 (F-1 and F-2)
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| Autumn 2026 to spring 2027 | Apply to universities and secure admission. Your school issues Form I-20 once you are admitted and have shown funding. |
| As soon as you have the I-20 | Pay the SEVIS I-901 fee, complete the DS-160 and book an interview. F-1 visas for new students can be issued up to 365 days before the course start date, so there is no benefit in waiting. |
| Spring 2027 | Bring your I-20, proof of funds and academic records. |
| Up to 30 days before the course starts | Enter the United States. You cannot enter on a new F-1 visa earlier than 30 days before the start date. |
A spouse or child travelling with a student needs their own I-20 from the school and applies for an F-2 visa. They do not pay the SEVIS fee. The Mission also instructs F, M and J applicants, among others, to set their social media accounts to public so vetting can be completed. See our F-1 and F-2 student visa page.
Three mistakes that cost people their summer
- Paying the fee before choosing the post. The Mission states that visa fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. Decide where you will interview first.
- Leaving children out. Children need their own applications, and interview rules for children tightened in 2025. Check the current rules for the post you will use.
- Trusting a guaranteed UAE slot.B1/B2 and student visa appointments are available in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
How FastUSTravel helps
We handle B1, B2, F1 and F2 visas, and ESTA. For summer and fall 2027 we check your existing visa and ESTA options, map the interview route for your nationality, and prepare your DS-160 and supporting documents so your file is ready for whichever route you take. We do not handle work, immigrant or transit visas, and we cannot influence the consular officer’s decision. Send us your nationality, travel purpose and dates to get a plan.
For the wider picture, read planning US travel in 2027 from the UAE.
Frequently asked questions
When should I start my US visa for summer 2027?
B1/B2 and student visa appointments are available in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Aim to have your interview booked by April 2027 for a July trip.
How early can I get an F-1 visa for a fall 2027 course?
An F-1 visa for a new student can be issued up to 365 days before the course start date. You can enter the United States no more than 30 days before that date.
Can I interview for my F-1 visa in the UAE?
Not through routine processing while the suspension continues.
Does my family need separate visas to join me as a student?
Yes. A spouse or child applies for an F-2 visa and needs their own I-20 from your school. They do not pay the SEVIS fee.
Can I travel to the US this summer on ESTA?
If your passport is from a Visa Waiver Program country and you are eligible, ESTA can cover a short tourism or business trip. It cannot be used for study.
Sources
- US Embassy and Consulate in the UAE, visas: https://ae.usembassy.gov/visas/
- US Mission UAE, suspension of routine visa services, 1 March 2026: https://ae.usembassy.gov/cancellation-of-visa-and-u-s-citizen-services-appointments-due-to-security-situation/
- US Department of State, student visas: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/study/student-visa.html
- US Department of State, adjudicating NIV applicants in their country of residence: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/adjudicating-niv-applicants-in-their-country-of-residence.html
- Gulf News, UAE school holidays 2026-27: https://gulfnews.com/living-in-uae/education/uae-school-holidays-2026-27-key-dates-1.500637553
All sources checked on 24 September 2026.
