The US visa halt has disrupted academic plans for Indian students preparing to study in the United States. BBC has conducted multiple interviews with students, and it emerged that many applicants were caught off guard after US embassies paused student visa appointments with little warning.
After many tries, Umar Sofi, a 26-year old aspiring student finally gained admission to Columbia University, and has even resigned from his job, and secured a scholarship, but when the US suspended visas on May 27, he faced uncertainty about starting on time. Students across the country report similar experiences and remain unsure of what to do. He said, “I was numb. I could not process what had happened.” The US visa halt has caused delays at a crucial academic point.
US visa halt prompts application setbacks
As a result, President Donald Trump has directed the US embassies to suspend student visa scheduling and expand applicant vetting, which has consequently led to the US visa halt. Meanwhile, Seventeen-year-old Samita Garg, accepted to a top US university for biochemistry, learned of the pause just days after her admission. “It is scary and stressful,” she told the BBC.
Students now race to meet tight deadlines to secure appointments before the fall semester.
Many have already invested significant resources. Embassy officials have communicated little, leaving confusion to grow. The US visa halt has raised concerns about whether students can travel in time for orientation and classes.
Indian students consider backup destinations
Indian students make up one of the largest international student groups in the United States. However, the US visa halt has pushed many to explore other options, including Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia. In an interview with the BBC, numerous students hesitated to go public, fearing it might affect future visa decisions.
For now, this halt has caused lots of delays in outcomes for thousands of students in India and other countries, forcing many to entirely reconsider their academic and travel plans.
