The United States is witnessing a steep drop in Indian student arrivals this year, with education consultants reporting a 70–80 per cent dip in outbound traffic. The decline, largely from cities like Hyderabad, is being attributed to a persistent freeze in US visa appointment slots and a sharp spike in rejection rates, leaving thousands of aspiring students in limbo.
The situation has sparked panic among students and parents alike, with many considering alternative destinations such as Germany and Canada to avoid losing an academic year.
“By this time usually, most students are done with their visa interviews and are preparing to fly. This year, we're still refreshing the portal every day hoping for a slot to open. It's the worst in years,” said Sanjeev Rai from Hyderabad Overseas Consultant, speaking to the Times of India.
While the US embassy had assured students that visa slots would be released in phases, consultants say the reality on the ground tells a different story. There’s growing frustration around unconfirmed bookings, leaving students confused and desperate.
“Students who manage to book slots have not been able to receive confirmation,” said Ankit Jain from Window Overseas Education Consultancy. “The only logical reason for slots being open without confirming bookings could be the US testing the system,” he added.
Students turn to Europe
The uncertainty has forced many students to make difficult decisions. A 23-year-old applicant, who had been eyeing the US for a master’s in automotive engineering, said she was left with no choice but to withdraw her application.
“I really could not wait. I might just lose out on a year. It looks like a dead end at this point, hence I decided to withdraw my application,”
she said, adding that she is now exploring Germany for admission.
“If slots aren't released in the next few days, thousands of dreams will be shattered,” warned Arvind Manduva from I20 Fever Consultancy.
“We are seeing about an 80% drop. We're getting panic calls every day from students and their parents.”
Visa rejections on the rise
Even those who managed to secure interview appointments are not safe from disappointment. Consultants are now reporting unusually high rejection rates, even among students with strong academic and financial profiles.
“Many students who usually would have had smooth approvals are being turned away. Their social media was also clean,” said Jain. “The only reason that everyone seems to be receiving is 214B.”
Section 214(b) of the US Immigration and Nationality Act is commonly cited when an applicant fails to prove strong ties to their home country, thereby failing to convince the consulate that they will return after completing their studies.
“This is not a new process,” explained Ravi Lothumalla from US Admission, an immigration consultancy based in Dallas, Texas. “The rules, vetting, and scrutiny had been in place for years, and has just been implemented now.”
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