Those who have been refused an F-1 student visa before will not be able to get a slot when the appointment applications open this summer, minister counsellor for consular affairs at the US embassy, Donald L. Heflin, said on Wednesday.

During the 45-minute live chat on the web page of the US consulate general in Delhi, Heflin said the summer season for student visa would open in June and the first half of July.

“We want the summer season to be for fresh applicants. People who have never applied before, students who have just finished high school and want to go for graduation studies or students who have just graduated and want to go for Masters. This summer when we open for appointments, if you have been refused before, you will not get a slot,” Heflin said.

“Later in the summer from August 15 to September 1, around 15,000 appointments will be available for people who have either been refused this summer or last year,” he said.

Heflin said eight lakh US visas were likely to be issued in 12 months in India.