US Faces 70–80% Drop In Indian Students As Visa Crisis Deepens
The United States is currently grappling with a significant decline in Indian student arrivals, with education consultants in Hyderabad reporting a 70% to 80% drop in student traffic. The dramatic dip stems from a freeze in visa appointment slots and a sudden spike in visa rejection rates, leaving students frustrated, uncertain, and exploring alternative education destinations.
Visa Appointment Chaos: “It’s the Worst in Years”
Typically by this time of year, students heading to the US would have already cleared their visa interviews and started making travel preparations. But in 2025, the situation is bleak. Students and consultants alike report constantly refreshing the US visa portal for new slots, with no clear availability in sight.
“By this time usually, most students are done with their visa interviews. This year, we’re still refreshing the portal every day hoping for a slot to open,”
— Sanjeev Rai, Hyderabad Overseas Consultant
Despite assurances from US authorities that slots would be released in phases, no transparency has been provided. Some students who booked slots are also not receiving confirmation, raising suspicion that the US might simply be testing the portal system.
Rising Panic and Shift Towards Europe
As delays grow, so does panic among students and parents. With academic calendars fast approaching, many students have begun to withdraw their applications or shift their focus to countries like Germany, Canada, and the UK.
“It looks like a dead end at this point. I couldn’t risk losing a year, so I’ve now applied for a Master’s in Germany,”
— 23-year-old Engineering Student
Consultants have confirmed a sharp decline, estimating the drop to be around 80% in real-time inquiries and confirmed visa activity.
“If slots aren’t released in the next few days, thousands of dreams will be shattered,”
— Arvind Manduva, I20 Fever Consultancy
Unprecedented Visa Rejections: 214(b) Becomes a Barrier
In addition to limited appointments, even students with early applications and clean social media profiles are seeing high rejection rates. The most common reason cited is 214(b) — a section of the US Immigration and Nationality Act, which denies visas to applicants who fail to prove strong ties to their home country.
“Many students who would have typically been approved are being turned away. The only reason provided is 214(b),”
— Ankit Jain, Window Overseas Education Consultancy
US Officials: Vetting and Delays Are Intentional
According to Ravi Lothumalla, an immigration consultant based in Dallas, the rules have always existed—what’s different now is strict enforcement. The US Consulate General in Hyderabad claims that slots have resumed, encouraging students to apply early and prepare for extended processing times.
“We’re working to fully vet applicants to ensure they do not intend to harm America or its interests. Additional processing time is to be expected,”
— US Consulate General, Hyderabad
The Broader Picture: India’s Role in US Education
India overtook China last year by sending over 3.3 lakh students to the US, indicating how crucial Indian students are to US universities. But with the current visa situation, this academic flow may slow down sharply, shifting interest towards Europe and other global education hubs.
