Hyderabad, July 18 — The United States is witnessing a drastic 70–80% decline in the number of Indian students arriving for higher education, as visa-related issues mount, according to education consultants. The sharp dip is attributed to a freeze in visa appointment slots and an alarming rise in visa rejections, especially under Section 214(b) of the US Immigration and Nationality Act.
“This is the worst year we’ve seen. Students are still refreshing the visa portal daily, hoping for appointments,” said Sanjeev Rai of Hyderabad Overseas Consultant, speaking to Times of India. He noted that by this time in previous years, most students would have already secured their visas and booked flights.
Ankit Jain from Window Overseas Education Consultancy added that students who managed to book interview slots have faced a lack of confirmation, indicating possible backend testing by US authorities. “There’s no clarity. The uncertainty is pushing students to explore other countries like Germany and Canada,” he said.
The crisis has also triggered a surge in visa rejections—even for students with strong profiles. “Students with clean records are receiving rejections under 214(b),” Jain added. Section 214(b) is typically cited when an applicant fails to prove they will return to their home country after their studies.
Arvind Manduva from I20 Fever consultancy revealed that panic calls from students and their parents have surged. “We are seeing nearly an 80% drop in interest. If slots aren’t released soon, thousands of dreams will be shattered,” he warned.
Meanwhile, Ravi Lothumalla from US Admission in Dallas explained that the current vetting process isn’t new, but rather being enforced more stringently now.
In response, the US Consulate General in Hyderabad confirmed that visa slots have resumed and urged students to check official portals for availability. “We are working to ensure that all applicants are thoroughly vetted. We encourage early applications and expect longer processing times,” the consulate said in a statement.
Despite these challenges, the US remains a top destination for Indian students. Last year, India overtook China to become the leading source of international students in the US, sending over 3.3 lakh students. As of January 1, 2024, more than 11.6 lakh Indian students were studying abroad, with Europe seeing a steady rise in preference.