In recent months, thousands of Indian students have been thrown into uncertainty due to a sudden halt in US student visa appointments. For many students who had dreamed of studying in the United States, this unexpected change has caused severe stress and anxiety, leaving them unsure about their futures.
Two such students, Umar Sofi and Samita Garg, shared their emotional experiences with the BBC, expressing their confusion and fear about the lack of clarity regarding their visa applications.
The Crisis for Indian Students
Umar Sofi, a 26-year-old from Kashmir, was overjoyed when he received an acceptance letter from Columbia University’s School of Journalism, a dream he had been working towards for three years. Along with a partial scholarship, he left his job in excitement, anticipating a bright future ahead.
However, when the US announced the suspension of student visa appointments on May 27, Sofi’s world came crashing down. Feeling numb and unable to process the news, he realized that securing a visa was now an uncertain and stressful process.
Similarly, 17-year-old Samita Garg, who was accepted into a top US university to study biochemistry, faced the same dilemma. The day after her acceptance, the US embassy announced the suspension of student visa appointments, leaving her feeling abandoned and unsure about her academic future.
With only a few weeks left before the academic year begins in August, both Sofi and Garg are in a race against time to secure their visas, but the lack of clarity surrounding the situation has made their paths unclear.
The Bigger Picture: Impact on Indian Students
This sudden policy change is part of a broader shift in the US immigration strategy under the administration of former President Donald Trump. His administration had ordered US embassies worldwide to pause visa appointments and implement stricter social media vetting for applicants.
The move followed political concerns about elite US universities and their perceived liberal leanings. As a result, many students, particularly from India, are finding themselves caught in a tense and unstable situation.
India sends more international students to the US than any other country, with more than 330,000 Indian students enrolled in US universities in 2023-24. This large number reflects the strong demand for education in the US, which has long been seen as a place of opportunity.
However, with the recent visa uncertainties, applications for the upcoming academic year have dropped by at least 30%, and many students are deferring their plans or considering alternatives like the UK, Germany, Ireland, and Australia.
Educational consultants report that students’ primary concern is the potential rejection of their visas or deportation after they have arrived in the US.
The Growing Concerns of Students
The uncertainty surrounding US visa policies is making students like Prema Unni, who had been accepted to three universities for a master’s program, reconsider their options. Unni, who had dreams of studying data analytics, decided to forgo his opportunity rather than face the stress of uncertain visa approvals, restrictions on internships, and the possibility of constant surveillance while on campus.
He is among many students who feel the anxiety of navigating a system that feels increasingly hostile and unpredictable.
Additionally, the US government has warned that students who drop out or miss classes without proper notification could face visa revocation and be barred from future entry, adding to the growing sense of instability for those planning to study abroad.
A Long-Term Problem for the US
The impact of this uncertainty extends beyond the individual student experience. As foreign students contribute significantly to the US economy—bringing in $43.8 billion in 2023–24—many experts fear that these policy changes could have long-term economic consequences.
Foreign students are often responsible for paying higher tuition fees and support thousands of jobs across the country. Furthermore, these students often fill critical gaps in industries such as healthcare, data science, and biotechnology, where there is a shortage of skilled professionals.
The loss of Indian students could have a devastating effect on the US, a country that has relied on the skills and talents of international students for decades.
These students often go on to secure high-paying jobs and lead major companies, including global giants like Google and Microsoft, which were founded by Indian-born executives.
India, despite its growth, still faces challenges in offering world-class education, making the US a prime destination for Indian students.
The uncertainty surrounding US visa policies is a pressing issue for Indian students and could lead to a long-term shift in international education trends. Many students are looking at alternatives, and unless the situation improves, both India and the US stand to lose the benefits of this strategic relationship.
The US risks losing its position as a top destination for higher education, and Indian students may face a future where their dreams of studying abroad remain unfulfilled.
