Indian student departures to the United States have plunged by nearly 70%, education consultants report, amid growing uncertainty over visa appointments and a spike in rejection rates under the Trump-era visa policies that continue to impact international students.
Consultants in Hyderabad say the usual rush of outbound traffic to U.S. universities has drastically slowed this year, primarily due to a persistent freeze in visa appointment slots and a lack of clarity from U.S. authorities.
“By this time, most students are typically done with their visa interviews and busy preparing to fly,” said Sanjeev Rai of Hyderabad Overseas Consultant. “This year, we're refreshing the portal daily hoping for a slot. It’s the worst we’ve seen in years.”
Although U.S. officials had assured that visa slots would be released in phases, students and consultants say the process has been opaque and inconsistent. Adding to the frustration, some students who managed to book appointments are still awaiting confirmation.
Ankit Jain from Window Overseas Education Consultancy suggested that the delays could be part of a system test. “It seems like slots are being opened without actual confirmation. The only explanation we can think of is that they’re testing the system,” he said.
With the academic season approaching, the ongoing uncertainty is causing widespread anxiety among students planning to pursue higher education in the United States.
(This story is published from a syndicated feed)