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Time of India
27-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Students Late for Class as US Visas Fall Behind
Live Events Many Indian students who have newly taken admission at American universities are unlikely to commence studies on time this Fall because of unusually long delays in visa processing despite the US recently lifting the pause on visa to study abroad consultants, the delay and a steep rise in visa rejections could cause a 70–80% drop in Indian student arrivals in the US for the upcoming semester compared with last year. The Fall semester starts mostly in September and some in late August. Students usually depart for colleges in August.A US Embassy spokesperson said consular officers are to conduct comprehensive and thorough vetting, including of online presence, of all student and exchange visitor applicants in the F, M, and J non-immigrant classifications. This is under a new guidance. Interview slots for student visas (F-1, J-1, M-1) were not available in mid-March 2025. 'We do not issue a visa until an applicant has demonstrated to the satisfaction of the consular officer adjudicating the case that he or she is eligible to receive a visa under US law,' the spokesperson said in response to ET's emailed queries. 'We will take the time necessary to ensure an applicant does not pose a risk to the safety and security of the US, and that he or she has credibly established his or her eligibility for the visa sought, including that the applicant intends to engage in activities consistent with the terms of admission.' Several US consulates had also temporarily halted visa interview appointments for new students in late May and much of disruptions have caused a huge backlog in visa processing. Introduction of expanded social media vetting protocols as part of the standard visa review process added to the delays, said experts.'For some cities like Ahmedabad, it has been even worse (than other cities), leaving many unsure about their Fall 2025 plans,' said Collegify cofounder Adarsh Khandelwal. 'Even after the visa services resumed last month, appointment availability still remains erratic, with slots vanishing within seconds and wait times stretching up to 60 days in metros,' he said.'F1 visa processing is significantly delayed this year and if this does not quickly come on track, a lot of students will have to skip an entire year,' said Rajneesh Pathak, founder of Global North Residency and Citizenship. 'Most students are worried about not being able to join their course this year and losing fees and a year.'The US Embassy has urged early applications, warning that more processing time may be required. 'We acknowledge that the additional time required to conduct online presence vetting of all F, M, and J applicants may impact appointment availability in those categories,' the spokesperson disruption was primarily due to operational adjustments, including system updates and introduction of the social media vetting protocols, said ApplyBoard's US head Lindsey Lopez.'However, given the high demand and recent backlogs, students may continue to experience longer wait times and delays in securing interview slots,' said Lopez.
Economic Times
27-07-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
Visa delays may derail plans of thousands of Indian students heading to US this Fall, warn consultants
New Delhi: Many Indian students who have newly taken admission at American universities are unlikely to commence studies on time this Fall because of unusually long delays in visa processing despite the US recently lifting the pause on visa to study abroad consultants, the delay and a steep rise in visa rejections could cause a 70-80% drop in Indian student arrivals in the US for the upcoming semester compared with last year. The Fall semester starts mostly in September and some in late August. Students usually depart for colleges in August. A US Embassy spokesperson said consular officers are to conduct comprehensive and thorough vetting, including of online presence, of all student and exchange visitor applicants in the F, M, and J non-immigrant classifications. This is under a new guidance. Interview slots for student visas (F-1, J-1, M-1) were not available in mid-March 2025. "We do not issue a visa until an applicant has demonstrated to the satisfaction of the consular officer adjudicating the case that he or she is eligible to receive a visa under US law," the spokesperson said in response to ET's emailed queries. "We will take the time necessary to ensure an applicant does not pose a risk to the safety and security of the US, and that he or she has credibly established his or her eligibility for the visa sought, including that the applicant intends to engage in activities consistent with the terms of admission." Several US consulates had also temporarily halted visa interview appointments for new students in late May and much of June. Fear of losing fees The disruptions have caused a huge backlog in visa processing. Introduction of expanded social media vetting protocols as part of the standard visa review process added to the delays, said experts. 'For some cities like Ahmedabad, it has been even worse (than other cities), leaving many unsure about their Fall 2025 plans,' said Collegify cofounder Adarsh Khandelwal. 'Even after the visa services resumed last month, appointment availability still remains erratic, with slots vanishing within seconds and wait times stretching up to 60 days in metros,' he said. 'F1 visa processing is significantly delayed this year and if this does not quickly come on track, a lot of students will have to skip an entire year,' said Rajneesh Pathak, founder of Global North Residency and Citizenship. 'Most students are worried about not being able to join their course this year and losing fees and a year.' The US Embassy has urged early applications, warning that more processing time may be required. 'We acknowledge that the additional time required to conduct online presence vetting of all F, M, and J applicants may impact appointment availability in those categories,' the spokesperson disruption was primarily due to operational adjustments, including system updates and introduction of the social media vetting protocols, said ApplyBoard's US head Lindsey Lopez.'However, given the high demand and recent backlogs, students may continue to experience longer wait times and delays in securing interview slots,' said Lopez.
Time of India
19-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Trump's ‘One Big Beautiful Bill' a blow to Indian students in US? $170 billion funds allocated for ICE; 1% remittance tax adds to burden
AI-generated image The recently enacted Donald Trump's 'One Big Beautiful Bill' is potentially turning out to another blow to Indian students in the United States by allocating approximately $170 billion to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for expanding deportation operations. This legislation strengthens enforcement agencies' authority to monitor local communities and track visa violations, according to study abroad platform executives. Students on Optional Practical Training (OPT) face heightened risks, as even minimal delays in securing employment or exceeding visa duration could result in severe penalties. Additionally, the legislation's new 1% remittance tax is anticipated to impact students who transfer funds to their home country for family support or loan repayments. "Even a small tax can affect low-income students — every dollar counts when supporting tuition or families back home," said Adarsh Khandelwal, cofounder of Collegify, quoted by Economic Times. This taxation applies to international transfers by F-1 student visa holders, H-1B workers, and green card holders using traditional payment methods. A $10 tax would apply to a $1,000 transfer to India. Students paying full fees without scholarships will not be subject to this tax, which becomes effective after January 1, 2026. Education consultants view this tax as a minor inconvenience rather than a significant barrier. "A 1% rate is annoying, not prohibitive," said Nikhil Jain, founder of ForeignAdmits, as quoted by ET. "Students are resourceful; they'll adapt by consolidating transfers, exploring digital wallets, or simply factoring it into their budget," he added. The tax represents an additional concern for Indian students in the US. Since January, increased scrutiny of non-immigrant visa holders and deportation of unauthorised residents has heightened anxiety. Recent intensification of visa procedures and social media monitoring has caused unease. "Students are becoming hypervigilant about everything – their social media presence, their financial transactions, their visa status," Jain of ForeignAdmits said. "This tax is just adding to the paranoia." Experts report that students and visa applicants are removing previous social media content and exercising increased caution regarding their online activities. The legislation also reduces federal support, including Medicaid and SNAP benefits for state colleges, which previously assisted numerous students. This reduction might increase institutions' reliance on international students paying full fees, who are exempt from the new remittance tax. Nevertheless, only a small proportion of Indian students attend prestigious US universities at full cost, with most relying on financial assistance or attending mid-tier institutions. Education experts suggest that prospective Indian students might now consider alternative study destinations. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Economic Times
19-07-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
Indian students on thin ICE in US over new law. Immigration crackdown to get $170 bn; job search under stress
Agencies This is an AI-generated image. The 'One Big Beautiful Bill' that President Donald Trump signed into law early this month delivers another setback to Indian students in the US, injecting nearly $170 billion into Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to expand its hardline deportation empowers enforcement agencies to extend their reach into local communities and actively pursue visa overstays, top executives at study abroad platforms said. For Indian graduates on Optional Practical Training (OPT) – a temporary employment authorisation to gain work experience in their field of study – even brief delays in finding work, or overstaying by just one day, could now lead to serious consequences. In addition, the 1% remittance tax introduced as part of the Act is expected to hit many students who send money back home to support their families or repay loans. 'Even a small tax can affect low-income students — every dollar counts when supporting tuition or families back home,' said Adarsh Khandelwal, cofounder of Collegify. The tax will apply to foreign remittances made by not just H-1B or green card holders but F-1 student visa holders as well, using cash-like methods (cash, money orders, cashier's checks). For instance, a $1,000 transfer to India would incur a $10 students going on full fee and no scholarship will be spared from the tax, which will apply to transfers made after January 1, 2026. Tax Troubles & Stricter Screening Some study abroad experts see the tax as a temporary blip rather than a major deterrent. 'A 1% rate is annoying, not prohibitive,' said Nikhil Jain, founder of ForeignAdmits. 'Students are resourceful; they'll adapt by consolidating transfers, exploring digital wallets, or simply factoring it into their budget,' he Zaveri, joint managing director of Career Mosaic, and Lindsey Lopez, head of US operations at Applyboard, said postgraduate students and recent graduates working on OPT or H-1B often send money to support families, pay off loans, or invest in tax is just one more source of anxiety for Indian students in the US. Since January, they have been under increasing stress as the new Trump administration started tightening scrutiny of non-immigrant visa holders and deporting illegal immigrants. Stricter visa process and screening of social media posts in recent months have put students on edge. 'Students are becoming hypervigilant about everything – their social media presence, their financial transactions, their visa status,' Jain of ForeignAdmits said. 'This tax is just adding to the paranoia.'Students and visa applicants are mostly deleting old social media posts and being extra careful about their online activities, experts One Big Beautiful Bill Act also cuts federal support such as Medicaid and SNAP – a federal food purchase assistance funding programme for the poor that has been available to many students as well – to state may force most of these institutions to rely more on full fee-paying international students, who are exempted from the new remittance only a small fraction of Indian students in the US attend Ivy League institutes at full cost. Most are dependent on some form of financial aid or attend mid-tier Indian students looking to study abroad may now consider other destinations, experts said.'The US may become even more attractive for Ivy League-bound, research-driven students,' said Khandelwal of Collegify. 'But mid-tier aspirants may pivot to Canada or Europe, where the welcome mat feels more genuine.' (Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates) Elevate your knowledge and leadership skills at a cost cheaper than your daily tea. What's keeping real retail investors out of the Nvidia rally Instagram and YouTube make billions off creators. Should they pay up for their mental health? Markets need to see more than profits from Oyo The hybrid vs. EV rivalry: Why Maruti and Mahindra pull in different directions. What's best? Stock Radar: Why is CDSL looking an attractive buy at current levels? Check target & stop loss for long positions Get ready for volatility with the big, better & experienced. 7 large-caps from different sectors with an upside potential of up to 39% Buy, Sell or Hold: Motilal Oswal sees over 20% upside in Tech Mahindra; YES Securities maintains add call on ICICI Lombard Weekly Top Picks: These stocks scored 10 on 10 on Stock Reports Plus
Time of India
06-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Columbia Crisis: Trump's crackdown sends chill through Indian students
New Delhi: A recent notification by the Trump administration that Columbia University failed to meet the standards for accreditation could have far-reaching consequences for students, particularly international students, many of whom are from India, experts said. Loss of accreditation could mean that securing a visa for studying at Columbia will not be possible. Students may become ineligible for scholarships and grants, and those graduating could struggle for jobs as their degrees would lose recognition. The US Department of Education announced on Wednesday that it formally notified the Middle States Commission on Higher Education , Columbia's accrediting body, that the university may have violated federal anti-discrimination laws by allegedly failing to protect Jewish students on campus. The move, which comes after Trump's order restricting Harvard University from enrolling international students, suggests the US administration is escalating its scrutiny of elite universities. Indians form the second largest student community at Columbia University. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Live Comfortably: 60 m² Prefab Bungalow for Seniors in Denliko Pre Fabricated Homes | Search Ads Search Now Undo In the 2024-25 academic year, 1,241 Indian students were enrolled at Columbia. While the latest US action may face legal obstacles, as in the case of Harvard, it does raise uncertainty, said study-abroad experts. (Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates) Live Events "This sends a chilling message to Indian students and families," said Adarsh Khandelwal, cofounder of Collegify, a college-admissions consultancy. "These students are not just numbers; they represent dreams, aspirations, and significant investments." Sukanya Raman, country head at immigration law firm Davies & Associates, explained the risks in stark terms. "Accreditation is a prerequisite for issuing student visas and serves as a foundational eligibility criterion for participation in federal financial aid programmes. Should an institution lose its accredited status, international students may become ineligible for scholarships, grants, or financial assistance that require enrolment in an accredited academic institution." The absence of institutional accreditation may render academic degrees unrecognised by employers, professional licensing authorities and other educational institutions, said Raman. "This lack of recognition can materially impair a student's ability to pursue gainful employment or advanced academic study, thereby affecting long-term professional and educational outcomes." Columbia may challenge the threat legally, arguing it undermines academic freedom and institutional autonomy, said experts. On Thursday, a federal judge in Boston granted a temporary restraining order on Trump's directive banning US entry of foreign nationals seeking admission at Harvard for six months. In her order, US District Judge Allison Burroughs said Harvard would face "immediate and irreparable injury" if the proclamation were to go into effect. A hearing has been scheduled for June 16, giving the university a narrow legal window to push back. Judge Burroughs had last month blocked another Trump order prohibiting Harvard from enrolling international students. Despite the uncertainty, education consultants are urging students not to panic. "We have come across some natural questions and concerns around visa validity," said Manisha Zaveri, joint managing director at education consultancy Career Mosaic. "We are reassuring them that such proclamations often undergo legal review and clarification, and universities typically step up support mechanisms when such uncertainty arises." Many US institutions are already reaching out to students, clarifying their visa status, providing legal assistance where needed, and even exploring credit transfers or deferral options, she said.
