Indian students aspiring to study in the US are facing one of the toughest years in recent memory. Education consultants in Hyderabad report a 70% drop in outbound traffic, citing severe visa delays and a sharp rise in rejections.
Visa Appointments Frozen, Rejections Spike
In previous years, students would have completed interviews by now. But in 2024, the US visa portal is reportedly frozen or inconsistent, forcing students and consultants to check multiple times daily for openings. Even those who manage to book slots often do not receive confirmations. Adding to the stress is the increased use of Section 214B, a clause under which visas are denied if applicants do not prove strong ties to their home country.
Rising Anxiety and Change of Plans
With delays growing, many students are choosing alternative destinations. A 23-year-old engineering aspirant withdrew his US application to pursue a course in Germany, fearing he might lose an academic year. Consultants say they are receiving panic calls from students and parents daily, with many dreams on the verge of collapse.
Consultants Sound the Alarm
Arvind Manduva from I20 Fever reports an 80% drop in visa clearances, while Ankit Jain of Window Overseas notes that even applicants with clean profiles and early applications are being turned away. According to experts, the issue is not new but is being strictly enforced this year.
US Response and the Road Ahead
The US Consulate in Hyderabad claims that visa slots are being released and has urged students to keep checking official websites. Officials also warn of longer processing times due to deeper scrutiny. Meanwhile, Europe, especially Germany, is seeing a steady rise in interest from Indian students.
With over 11.6 lakh Indians studying abroad, and India having overtaken China last year as the top source of international students to the US, this sudden disruption may have long-term effects on global student flows.
