‘If this pause extends…': Expert advises students aspiring to study in US universities

Indian Express

a day ago

With the United States pausing new student visa interview appointments and expanding its scrutiny of applicants' social media profiles, a wave of uncertainty has swept across Indian students aspiring to study abroad, particularly in the big four nations, namely the US, UK, Canada and Australia.
The changes have raised concern among students, parents, and counsellors alike, particularly for those preparing for the September 2025 and 2026 intake. The shift could potentially block scholarships, defer admissions, or delay post-study work plans.
Speaking to indianexpress.com, Suneet Singh Kochar, CEO, Fateh Education breaks it down – delays, rejections, scholarships, and friendlier options beyond the United States.
A federal judge late Thursday temporarily blocked a proclamation by Trump government that banned foreign students from entering the US to attend Harvard University.
Read | How foreign students helped US varsities become global campuses
Kochar warned students to brace for uncertainty: 'We must prepare for the worst. If this pause extends, students should have a plan B.' Those midway through the process must now evaluate whether to wait it out, defer to the next intake, or consider equally good institutions elsewhere.
For students eyeing the September 2025 intake, Kochar advises patience over panicking. 'If no improvement happens in two to three weeks, students might be better-off deferring to 2026,' he said, 'But don't rush into a decision just yet.'
He urged students targeting 2026 to continue applying to US universities while simultaneously working on backup options. 'Don't halt your US application,' Kochar explained. 'But also begin applications in other countries to avoid last-minute disappointment over lost scholarships or filled seats.'
Kochar pointed out that delays are possible but not certain. 'The pause is early-stage recalibration. If it ends quickly, many students could still get visas in time,' he said.
Moreover, existing visa appointments remain unaffected. 'Students who already have scheduled appointments can still go ahead as planned,' he added. However, he cautioned students about quitting jobs or finalising travel plans until more clarity emerges.
Social media scrutiny isn't new, but it's becoming more prominent. Kochar explained, 'Social media vetting has always existed as a way to weed out non-genuine applicants. Now it's being taken more seriously.'
He elaborated that visa officers will look for inconsistencies in applicants' digital profiles – checking whether a student's online presence aligns with the claims made in their application. 'They'll also examine if someone could pose a security threat or hold extreme views,' he added.
He advised students to clean up their profiles: 'Posts from as far back as five or seven years can be dug up. Delete anything that doesn't reflect who you are today. Social media forgets nothing.'
Kochar clarified that the rules themselves haven't changed, only their enforcement has become stricter. 'The US is now rigorously imposing rules that were always there. For example, student visa holders still can't work beyond permitted hours, and OPT holders must avoid more than 90 days of unemployment,' he said.
He urged students to proactively understand and follow immigration rules. 'You can't say 'I didn't know the rule existed'. If you're entering a country, it's your responsibility to understand its laws,' he stressed.
Scholarships, unlike admission offers, don't always roll over. 'Scholarships are usually tied to a particular academic year and may lapse if not used,' Kochar said. However, he added that given the exceptional circumstances, some universities may carry over scholarships. 'This is not a normal year. If applications are paused, universities might have leftover budgets for next year. Still, nothing is guaranteed,' he warned.
The COVID-19 pandemic created a significant backlog of students who deferred their plans during the 2020–2022 period. When international travel resumed, this pent-up demand led to a massive surge in outbound student mobility. However, not all students went abroad primarily for study, many were drawn by broader migration aspirations. This surge triggered policy recalibrations across popular destinations like the UK and Canada, where governments became wary of potential system misuse.
Read | Sharp fall in Indian students going abroad: Canada, UK, US see first simultaneous drop in 4 years; here's why
In the United Kingdom, for instance, the recently released white paper on international education explicitly acknowledged the financial and cultural value international students bring. Yet, it also raised concerns about misuse, highlighting, for example, the roughly 10,000 students who transitioned from study visas to asylum applications. This dual narrative of welcoming talent while tightening controls is shaping how countries manage future student intakes.
Canada, too, has seen a sharp drop in student numbers. This decline stems from both policy unpredictability and systemic overcapacity. Retrospective rule changes and housing shortages left many students disillusioned, leading to a reputational setback. The Canadian government is expected to recalibrate now that its election cycle has concluded, likely moving from abrupt crackdowns to more nuanced regulations designed to attract high-quality talent while avoiding past mistakes.
In light of policy unpredictability, Kochar suggests looking at newer destinations. 'Germany, Netherlands, Ireland, France, and South Korea are gaining traction. They offer high-quality education and have fewer bureaucratic hurdles,' he said.
Students should also check if their intended courses are well-supported and if language requirements are manageable. 'In countries like Germany or France, English-taught courses are increasing. But students must be ready for cultural and language adjustments,' he added.
Kochar noted that several alternative destinations are strengthening post-study pathways. 'Germany, for instance, allows an 18-month job-seeking visa after graduation. Ireland offers a two-year stay-back for master's students,' he said. 'These are serious contenders for students looking for long-term international exposure,' he added.
One of the biggest mistakes students make, according to the expert, is choosing a country first and then retrofitting a course into that choice. Instead, students should map their career goals and identify which destination has the right ecosystem—government investment, industrial support, university research to support it. For example, Germany makes sense for automotive engineering due to its thriving research and development, and manufacturing sectors, while Ireland suits computer science aspirants looking for a thriving tech hub.
Beyond sectoral fit, students must also consider their personality and lifestyle preferences. Introverts, for instance, may thrive better in compact campuses and smaller towns, where repeated interaction fosters deeper relationships and networks. In contrast, larger cities, while offering more part-time job opportunities, may isolate newcomers due to dispersed living and social circles. Choosing the right city, not just the country, can influence a student's ability to thrive.
While university rankings are a common decision-making metric, the expert emphasizes focusing on institutional strengths and research areas rather than fluctuating rank numbers. He said, 'It is better to evaluate universities within rank brackets (eg, 0-5, 5-15, 15-25) and identify those aligned with the student's academic and career interests.'
Beyond academics, students should assess extracurricular offerings, clubs, and student societies to ensure a holistic and enriching experience. Education, after all, is not confined to classrooms. Peer interaction, community engagement, and exposure to diverse activities all contribute to the kind of growth that shapes long-term careers, not just first jobs.