The United States has tightened visa norms, reshaping how Indian students pursue higher education abroad. Pandemic-era flexibilities have been rolled back, replaced by stricter rules that bring longer waits, higher costs, and greater uncertainty. For many students, this shift means rethinking timelines and even reconsidering their study destinations.
Ban on Third-Country Applications
Until recently, Indian students could bypass heavy backlogs at home by applying for visas in countries like Singapore, Thailand, or Germany. But as of September 2025, the US has ended this practice. Now, all applications must go through US consulates in India, where waiting times stretch from three months to nearly nine months, creating severe delays.
Appointment Crunch and Lost Waivers
Adding to the pressure, most interview waivers have been eliminated. Even children under 14 and seniors over 79 must now appear in person, further overloading consulate schedules. Students applying for F and M visas face mandatory interviews, intensifying bottlenecks. Approval rates in cities like Ahmedabad have already dropped below 50 percent, forcing many to defer admissions.
Proposed Fixed-Term Visas
A bigger regulatory shift looms as the Department of Homeland Security proposes ending the “duration of status” system. Instead, students would receive fixed-term visas capped at four years. Those pursuing longer programs, like Ph.Ds., would need extensions, adding paperwork, biometric checks, and higher costs. Transfers between schools and second degrees at the same level could also face restrictions.
Stricter Compliance and Risks
The US Embassy has warned Indian students about tighter enforcement. Even small violations—like missing classes, unauthorised work, or dropping below full-time enrollment—can now lead to visa revocation, deportation, or future travel bans. Reports of denials despite confirmed admissions highlight the rising risks for students navigating the new system.
What This Means for Indian Families
With over 330,000 Indian students already in the US, these changes mark a decisive shift. Families must now prepare for:
- Longer appointment delays in India
- Loss of flexibility due to third-country bans
- Mandatory interviews across categories
- Uncertainty around academic timelines
- Higher costs and compliance risks
The new rules signal a harder line on student mobility. For Indian families investing in American education, studying in the US now carries more challenges than ever before.
