Migrating to US too big of a gamble now, rue students

Time of India

a day ago

Hyderabad: The 'Great American Dream' seems to be on the wane among students from the Telugu states aspiring to migrate to the United States for higher education. Worried by a sudden freeze on US visa slots, confusion around the Optional Practical Training (OPT) policy and abrupt revocations of SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) IDs, hundreds of prospective applicants from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh have dropped their US plans — ahead of the popular Fall season.
Consultants in Hyderabad that TOI spoke to peg this decline at a significant 60% to 70%. Some even claim that dozens of students have either withdrawn their applications or put them on hold in the last 10 days alone.
The Fall intake — stretching from Aug to Sept — typically accounts for nearly 60% of the yearly student traffic from these two southern states to the US, especially in STEM disciplines. In 2024, India sent that largest cohort of students (3.3 lakh approx) to the US, according to the Open Doors Report, and students from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh form the majority with 13%, as per Indian Student Mobility Report by the Univeristy Living.
Worst crash ever
"The demand has just crashed," said Arvind Manduva, founder of I20Fever Consultancy that has multiple branches across Telangana. "In June alone, we used to process as many as 2,000 applications. This year, we barely touched 400. Normally by now, our teams are neck-deep in last-mile visa documentation. But 2025 is unlike anything we've seen before. Uncertainty has paralysed students, If they do not release visa slots within next two weeks, the ones who are still keen on flying to the US will lose out on this intake," he added.
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Consultants said that even students with I-20 forms (which certifies students' admission to a study program and verifies their ability to financially support themselves) are backing out owing to uncertainty over visa. "Those who booked slots in April are the only ones with a clear path forward. Everyone else is stuck in limbo. The rate of withdrawals is at an all-time high," said Rajni Mankotia of Way2 Abroad Consultancy.
OPT bill confusion
Adding to the chaos is the proposed bill that could ban or significantly restrict OPT, a key post-study work benefit that many Indian students rely on to repay their educational loans.
"Everyone I speak to is advising against going to the US right now. And if OPT goes away, how will we pay back our loans? It's too big a gamble. I'll try again next time," said a 26-year-old woman from Hyderabad who recently withdrew her application from a supply chain management course.
Consultants said that only a small group of high-performing students are still pursuing their US dream. "These are students who applied to top-tier universities and are academically strong. They're taking the risk — but they are the exception, not the rule," said Ankit Jain of One Window Overseas Education Consultancy.
Sources in the US consulate, meanwhile, said they too are awaiting an official update from Washington DC on the visa issue.
"Only after that can we inform students about the next steps," said a source.
Alternate destinations
In the wake of the US conundrum, local students are turning to alternate destinations — Europe being the most preferred academic hotspot. "The ones withdrawing from US universities are applying to Germany, France, and Luxembourg in large numbers," said Sanjeev Rai from Hyderabad Overseas Consultant.
Shubh Sathe, a 28-year-old tech professional from Hyderabad, is among them. "The tuition fee is more affordable, the competition is less, and the visa process is more predictable. I'm seriously exploring these destinations for post-study work opportunities and long-term prospects," he said.