Visa Backlog May Slash Indian Student Enrolment in US by Up to 80%: Report

US Student Visa Logjam Triggers 70–80% Drop in Indian Applicants, Sparks Shift to Europe.

Indian student traffic to the US is seeing a sharp downturn, with education consultants in Hyderabad reporting a 70–80% decline in outbound numbers amid a growing visa crisis under the current US administration. The delay in releasing visa interview slots and a dramatic rise in rejection rates have left thousands of students in limbo, forcing many to look to alternate destinations like Germany and other parts of Europe.

“Usually by mid-July, students are gearing up to fly. This year, most are still stuck refreshing the portal for visa slots,” said Sanjeev Rai from Hyderabad Overseas Consultant, in comments to The Times of India.

While US authorities had earlier promised a phased release of slots, students are now reporting either no confirmations or unexplained rejections. “Some students do manage to book, but there’s no confirmation after that. It’s like the system is being tested without clarity,” said Ankit Jain from Window Overseas Education Consultancy.

The fallout has been swift and disheartening. One 23-year-old applicant planning to pursue a master’s in automotive engineering in the US said he had to withdraw and is now considering Germany. “It felt like a dead end. I couldn’t risk losing a whole year,” he said.

Consultants say the number of affected students is massive. “We’re facing a near 80% drop. Panic calls from students and parents flood in daily,” said Arvind Manduva of I20 Fever consultancy.

Even those who secured appointments months ago are being hit with rejections, often under Section 214(b) of the US Immigration and Nationality Act — a clause that implies the applicant failed to prove strong ties to India. Jain noted, “These are students with clean records and valid reasons. But all they’re getting is a vague 214(b) refusal.”

Ravi Lothumalla, from Dallas-based US Admission, added that while the rules aren’t new, the recent stringency in implementation has caught many off guard.

In response, the US Consulate General in Hyderabad stated that appointment slots have resumed and encouraged applicants to regularly check official websites. A spokesperson emphasized that all applicants must clearly demonstrate eligibility, genuine intentions, and sufficient ties to their home country.

India overtook China last year by sending over 3.3 lakh students to the US. But the visa hurdles are now pushing many to explore alternatives. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, as of January 1, 2024, over 11.6 lakh Indian students were enrolled in foreign universities, with European destinations gaining notable traction.