Latest news with #ArvindManduva
Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Migrating to US too big of a gamble now, rue students
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 Some even claim that dozens of students have either withdrawn their applications or put them on hold in the last 10 days alone.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. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất IC Markets Đăng ký Undo 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.
Time of India
29-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
US move on visas leaves Telugu students in lurch
US government's halt on student visa interviews is creating problems for many students from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh HYDERABAD: The US govt's decision to halt student visa interviews has impacted hundreds of candidates from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, especially those planning to join universities during the Fall 2025 intake. This session, between Aug and Sept, historically sees the highest traffic of Indian students to the US, with consultants pegging the count to around 60% to 70% of the total annual enrolments. Last year, Indians comprised the largest cohort of international students in the US with over 2.7 lakh candidates heading there. Of this, 13% were from the two Telugu-speaking states — highest contributor to the pool. But the latest move has put a spanner in the works for many students owing to increased scrutiny of applications and limited availability of visa interview slots. Especially hit are those still awaiting their I-20 forms (essential admission document issued by US universities). "I started my process in Jan to ensure there is no delay. I have all my documents in place and have also ensured that I meet all other requirements. I am just waiting for my I-20 which is likely to be issued in a few days," said a 25-year-old veterinary doctor from Hyderabad who was hoping to pursue a master's degree in bio-innovation from a university in Philadelphia. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo "I even quit my job for this. But now, I am clueless about what to do next. I may have to postpone my admission to the spring intake (Dec and Jan) if the situation persists," she added. Similarly, a 22-year-old, who applied to a few colleges in the US for a master's in data science, said, "We have secured a loan from my relatives for this, and now there's no clarity. I am reconsidering my US plans now. Since I am still in the application process, I can take a step back and see what other options I have." 'Keep social media a/c clean' Given the situation, consultants say that they are advising students to stay alert — in case slots open up — keep their documentation ready, be wary of frauds and, most importantly, ensure that their social media accounts are "sanitised". This, as the US authorities have asked embassies and consulates to review students' online profiles more closely as part of the vetting process. "We were already seeing a lot more rejections and extended administrative processing; this is just a new hurdle, but a significant one," said Arvind Manduva from I20 Fever, a registered consultancy with multiple branches in the city. "Students are being advised to keep their social media free of any politically sensitive posts, fake achievements, or anything else that can raise a red flag," he said, adding that as many as 150 to 200 students, who received their I20s, are waiting in queue for visa slots. However, the US consulate clarified that vetting of social media accounts isn't a new measure and has been part of a standard vetting process initiated in 2019. "Since 2019, the department of state required visa applicants to provide social media identifiers on immigrant and non-immigrant visa application forms. Security vetting runs from the time of each application, through adjudication of the visa, and afterwards during the validity period of every issued visa," a spokesperson of the US Consulate General Hyderabad said in an official statement.
Time of India
28-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
US' move to halt new student visas leaves Telugu candidates aiming for Fall session worried
Hyderabad: The US govt's decision to halt student visa interviews has impacted hundreds of candidates from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, especially those planning to join universities during the Fall 2025 intake. This session, between Aug and Sept, historically sees the highest traffic of Indian students to the US, with consultants pegging the count to around 60% to 70% of the total annual enrolments. Last year, Indians comprised the largest cohort of international students in the US with over 2.7 lakh candidates heading there. Of this, 13% were from the two Telugu-speaking states — highest contributor to the pool. But the latest move has put a spanner in the works for many students owing to increased scrutiny of applications and limited availability of visa interview slots. Especially hit are those still awaiting their I-20 forms (essential admission document issued by US universities). "I started my process in Jan to ensure there is no delay. I have all my documents in place and have also ensured that I meet all other requirements. I am just waiting for my I-20 which is likely to be issued in a few days," said a 25-year-old veterinary doctor from Hyderabad who was hoping to pursue a master's degree in bio-innovation from a university in Philadelphia. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với sàn môi giới tin cậy IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo "I even quit my job for this. But now, I am clueless about what to do next. I may have to postpone my admission to the spring intake (Dec and Jan) if the situation persists," she added. Similarly, a 22-year-old, who applied to a few colleges in the US for a master's in data science, said, "We have secured a loan from my relatives for this, and now there's no clarity. I am reconsidering my US plans now. Since I am still in the application process, I can take a step back and see what other options I have." 'Keep social media a/c clean' Given the situation, consultants say that they are advising students to stay alert — in case slots open up — keep their documentation ready, be wary of frauds and, most importantly, ensure that their social media accounts are "sanitised". This, as the US authorities have asked embassies and consulates to review students' online profiles more closely as part of the vetting process. "We were already seeing a lot more rejections and extended administrative processing; this is just a new hurdle, but a significant one," said Arvind Manduva from I20 Fever, a registered consultancy with multiple branches in the city. "Students are being advised to keep their social media free of any politically sensitive posts, fake achievements, or anything else that can raise a red flag," he said, adding that as many as 150 to 200 students, who received their I20s, are waiting in queue for visa slots. However, the US consulate clarified that vetting of social media accounts isn't a new measure and has been part of a standard vetting process initiated in 2019. "Since 2019, the department of state required visa applicants to provide social media identifiers on immigrant and non-immigrant visa application forms. Security vetting runs from the time of each application, through adjudication of the visa, and afterwards during the validity period of every issued visa," a spokesperson of the US Consulate General Hyderabad said in an official statement.
