US pause on visa interviews worries Indian students, expert says relief soon
Doshi believes that students and parents do not need to worry, as the issue will soon be resolved and the US will begin prioritising students who need to start their academic year in August or September."They've only halted the visa interviews; they haven't said that visas will no longer be issued. The process has been paused to allow for the implementation of a social media policy. Once that is finalised, they will resume interviews for all students," Doshi told India Today TV.GIVE SOME TIME, US WILL SORT OUT VISA ISSUE: DOSHIUS Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently said that the State Department plans to issue updated guidance on social media vetting of student and exchange visitor applicants following a review. He recommended that all US consulates worldwide pause the scheduling of such visa appointments.advertisementSocial media vetting involves reviewing a visa applicant's online presence and activity to assess their suitability for entry into the United States.Doshi said, "The issue isn't specific to India — it's happening worldwide. All international students have been impacted by this diktat from the US Secretary of State.""I don't think students need to worry at all. I believe that within the next one or two weeks, once the policy is in place, they will prioritise students who need to be at their universities in August or September. Yes, it's a bit of a concern, but the US also needs international students. Give it some time, they will sort it out," he said.MANY STUDENTS MULLING TO CONSIDER OTHER COUNTRIES: REPORTAccording to reports, some Indian students who planned to study in the US are even considering alternative countries for their education.In light of the US Embassy's warning in New Delhi and the Trump administration's policies on students and immigrants, students from Hyderabad are exploring options in Australia, New Zealand, Germany, and the UK, Hyderabad-based newspaper The Siasat Daily reported.Recently, the embassy posted on X, warning that students who drop out, miss classes, or leave their academic programs without notifying their institutions will face consequences.advertisementA student in Hyderabad, preparing for the IELTS exam and planning to pursue a master's degree abroad, revealed on condition of anonymity that he abandoned his US plans due to the changing policies, according to The Siasat Daily. Another student stated that he had already decided to apply to Australia instead of the US.Meanwhile, other Indian students remain determined to fulfil their American dream.Matsya, who spent years preparing for her MSc in Human-Centric Computing at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, describes her current state as 'a mix of hope and anxiety.""I don't have a Plan B because this programme aligns perfectly with my academic goals," she told The New Indian Express, emphasising that deferring would be preferable to abandoning her US aspirations entirely.Vignesvern, on the other hand, offers a different perspective. Admitted to Carnegie Mellon University for an MSc in Information Security and Internet of Things (IoT) Engineering, he recently got his visa approved.He describes the approval as "a big weight off my shoulders" but acknowledges that many other students are still waiting and that the situation remains uncertain, The New Indian Express reported.Reports suggest international students injected $43.8 billion into the US economy in 2023-24.A total of 3.31 lakh Indian students were studying in the US in the academic year 2023-24, making up 29.4% of its 11 lakh international student population, according to the Open Doors 2024 report.Must Watch
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