The US Embassy has given applicants for students visas with the opportunity to schedule expedited appointments after its premises in the UAE were closed last week.

Following a warning from the State Department of a possible Al Qaeda attack on US facilities, especially in the Middle East, the country’s embassy in Abu Dhabi and consulate in Dubai were closed for a week, re-opening on August 11.

“Some applicants have missed their appointments because of the closure,” said Jeffrey Ladenson, public affairs officer at the embassy in Abu Dhabi.

Applicants for F1 and M1 student visas have been offered urgent appointments to facilitate timely arrival in the US, as most courses will start in September.

The F1 visa is issued to students who attend a full-time degree or academic programme, while the M1 visa is intended for students of non-academic or vocational studies.

“We are trying to do everything to see these applicants as soon as possible, and by all accounts this is going well,” said Ladenson.

Last year more than 2,000 US student visas were issued to UAE residents and this number has increased this year, although official numbers are not yet available.

“We are seeing a historic high in the number of students applications issued in the UAE,” said Ladenson.