As of June, the US State Department has temporarily suspended the scheduling of new student visa interviews worldwide (Photo: Canva)
The recent suspension of student visa interviews and heightened scrutiny of Indian applicants by the United States has sent shockwaves through India’s academic community, abruptly halting the dreams of thousands of students aspiring to study in America this year. As of June, the US State Department, under Secretary Marco Rubio, has temporarily suspended the scheduling of new student visa interviews worldwide, citing national security concerns and the need for expanded social media vetting of applicants.
India has long been one of the largest sources of international students for the US, with over 268,000 Indian students enrolled in American institutions in the 2023–24 academic year. The current policy shift comes at a time when interest in US education was already showing signs of decline, notably since the debut of the second term of Donald Trump’s presidency.
Education consultants believe that the changed situation in the US as well as the tightening of controls by the Trump Administration has already seen a softening of demand among Indian students seeking education opportunities overseas.
“Based on current trends, we expect only about 25 pc to 30 pc of the number of students who went last year to pursue higher education in the USA this year. There has been a noticeable drop in interest due to several factors,” Vijay Nair, Education Consultant and Founder, Education Matters, an education consulting company in Chennai, tells Media India Group.
“There is a lot of uncertainty right now. The Trump Administration’s shifting immigration policies, changes in student visa rules and the impact of trade tariffs on the global economy have created an unstable environment. In addition, the number of scholarships being offered has reduced significantly. All of this is causing concern among students, especially those from middle-income families, as it directly affects both affordability and post-study prospects,” Nair adds.
Along with US missions elsewhere, the US Embassy in India has also issued repeated warnings to students, emphasising that even minor violations of visa conditions, such as skipping classes or failing to inform their school of changes, could result in visa revocation and a permanent ban on future travel to the United States.
The Embassy’s stern advisories have been underscored by a recent wave of deportations. Since January 2025, nearly 700 Indian nationals have been deported from the US, with official data from India’s Ministry of External Affairs confirming 682 deportations in just the first few months of the year.
For students, the abrupt halt in visa processing has upended carefully laid plans.
“I have spent months preparing for my Masters in Business Administration (MBA) programme from Harvard University in the US, studying for exams, getting my paperwork in order and arranging finances. Now, everything is on hold and I do not know if I will even be able to start this year,” Priyanshi Raathi, an aspiring student based in Gurgaon, tells Media India Group.
“My family has invested so much in my education, and now we are worried about what will happen to all that effort and money. It feels like the rug has been pulled out from under us,” she adds.
The uncertainty is not limited to students. Parents are increasingly anxious about both the safety and the long-term value of a US degree.
“Yes, absolutely. Many parents have reached out expressing concern about safety and long-term opportunities in the US. They are also worried about the value of the investment, given the uncertain political climate. As a result, a growing number are actively exploring alternatives like Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany and even emerging destinations in Asia,” Nair adds.
While a recent US federal court has temporarily blocked the Trump Administration’s attempt to revoke international student visas, offering a measure of relief to those already in the US, a dense cloud of uncertainty hangs over their future.