Latest news with #MamtaShekhawat
Hindustan Times
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Are you an international student in the US? These violations can cost you your visa immediately
On Tuesday, May 27, the US Embassy in India warned Indian or foreign students that if they are found skipping classes or dropping out of their courses, they might end up losing their student visas. 'If you drop out, skip classes, or leave your program of study without informing your school, your student visa may be revoked, and you may lose eligibility for future U.S. visas. Always adhere to the terms of your visa and maintain your student status to avoid any issues,' the official statement, shared on X, read. International students in the United States have been uncertain and anxious ever since US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials revoked the visa status of thousands of students recorded in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). At the peak of the revocation activity, almost 5,000 student records were affected, an ICEF Monitor report revealed. However, ICE went on to reverse its decision in late April after facing various legal challenges from students, universities and education bodies. ICE also restored the visa status of those who were impacted. However, US authorities have continued to use their legal powers to cancel student visa status and carry out deportations. Earlier, hundreds of international studentsstudying in the US received emails from the US Department of State (DOS), asking them to self-deport as their F-1 visas (student visas) had been revoked because of campus activism. Students who shared or liked 'anti-national' posts were also targeted. Amid the uncertainty faced by international students,Prashant Ajmera, immigration lawyer at Ajmera Law Group, explained that some immigration violations, which 'occur when a student breaches the terms of their visa,' can land them in trouble, according to Business Standard. These violations include: 'These violations can lead to termination of the SEVIS record, deportation, bans of three or ten years from returning to the US, and serious difficulties obtaining future visas,' Ajmera said. Ajmera also explained that some criminal violations involve breaking the US laws, and can even overlap with immigration violations. 'Underage drinking, drink driving, credit card fraud, shoplifting, or possession of prohibited items can all trigger criminal proceedings, visa revocation and removal from the US,' said Ajmera, adding that the US maintains interconnected databases that enforcement agencies can access, which lets them cross-check student data. Mamta Shekhawat, founder of said that it is a 'misconception that only crimes lead to visa revocation.' 'Students can lose visas for non-criminal issues such as not maintaining student status, breaching visa terms, providing false information or even questionable social media activity. We've seen cases where incomplete forms or small documentation errors caused delays, rejections and cancellations,' Shekhawat added. Kajal Dave, co-founder of LaunchEd, said, 'Minor documentation lapses that are corrected promptly won't usually lead to visa loss. Repeated or serious discrepancies, however, draw attention. Students must keep records updated and act fast if issues arise.' Peeyush Agarwal, co-founder and CEO of Invest4Edu, said that students often face trouble with their visa because of unauthorized work. 'Many students mistakenly take freelance or part-time work off-campus without approval from their Designated School Official or US Citizenship and Immigration Services. Failing to maintain a full course load or not informing the university about changes of address or school can also trigger loss of status,' he explained. 'The biggest issue is often not wilful wrongdoing but simply a lack of awareness,' added Agarwal. 'Students should speak regularly with their international student office and never assume something is allowed under their visa.' Ajmera advised students to remain calm if they face such problems in the US and are contacted by US authorities. 'Never resist or run from police, as that turns a small problem into a criminal offence. Ask for legal representation immediately,' he said.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
23-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Germany ends visa appeals: Costlier path for Indian students, workers
Come July 1, Indian visa applicants to Germany will no longer be able to appeal a rejection through a simple letter to the consulate. The German government has decided to end its visa remonstration process globally, meaning any challenge to a visa refusal will now require formal court proceedings. Germany has become an increasingly popular destination for Indian students and workers, particularly as visa hurdles grow in countries like Canada, the US, and the UK. But this change introduces a fresh layer of complexity for those hoping to travel, study or work there. 'In the past, on a rejected German Schengen visa application, a person could provide a remonstration letter to the consulate or embassy of Germany that rejected it,' said Mamta Shekhawat, founder of a study abroad platform. 'This was an informal appeal of the application where the applicant could provide additional information or clarify any misunderstanding without going through the formalities of legal procedures. It was an affordable and convenient means of reviewing potential mistakes or oversights in the original application.' Shekhawat said the change will affect Indian students in several ways: Greater pressure for perfection: Small mistakes in documentation or confusion on the application could now lead to a flat rejection, requiring a full restart of the process Increased costs and longer delays: Reapplying for a visa means paying fees again and waiting weeks or even months for another appointment No middle ground: Legal appeals are costly and slow, often requiring a German lawyer and possibly taking up to two years for a decision Emotional toll: Students who earlier had some hope of correction through informal channels may now find the process too stressful or uncertain to attempt 'Without the informal appeal, rejected applicants now face two main options,' said Sanjog Anand, co-founder of Rostrum Education. 'One, reapply and pay the fees again. Two, file a formal judicial appeal, which is a far more difficult, costly, and time-consuming path. A case must be filed with the Berlin Administrative Court. For many Indian students, this choice is too expensive,' he said. Shekhawat added, 'The move also highlights the absolute necessity of filing a perfect first-time application. This requires careful preparation, detailed documentation, and expert advice.' She said the German government's reasoning is that scrapping the remonstration process will free up consular staff, allowing them to focus more efficiently on new applications. 'It promotes transparency and creates higher documentation status,' she said. Despite the tougher visa pathway, Shekhawat said services for German university admissions remain unaffected. 'Our focus has always been on getting things right the first time.' Anand noted, 'While initial processing might be faster, the absence of an informal appeal means that any rejection will lead to a complete restart of the application process or a lengthy legal battle, potentially causing significant delays in study plans.' Skilled workers may hesitate to appeal For professionals seeking to work in Germany, the impact is similar. 'The removal of the remonstration process is part of Germany's efforts to improve administrative efficiency, potentially leading to faster processing times for visa applications,' said Varun Singh, managing director at XIPHIAS Immigration. 'But on the downside, skilled workers facing visa denials will now have limited recourse, potentially affecting job opportunities and employer timelines. The formal appeal process may deter some applicants due to its complexity and expense,' Singh added. Tourists and business travellers also affected Visa rejections for short-term visitors will now be harder to contest. 'Streamlined visa processing could benefit travellers by reducing wait times for visa appointments and decisions,' said Singh. 'However, tourists and business travellers who experience visa rejections will no longer have a straightforward method to contest decisions, possibly impacting travel plans and incurring additional costs for reapplication or legal appeals.' Consular Services Portal and rejection data Germany introduced the Consular Services Portal in January 2025, offering step-by-step digital instructions for student, skilled worker, and family reunification visa applications. Early feedback from applicants suggests that the portal has helped reduce documentation errors. 'Dispensing with the remonstration procedure has released considerable staff capacity in visa sections,' said the German Missions. In 2024, Germany rejected 206,733 Schengen visa applications, with a rejection rate of 13.7%. Indian applicants have faced some of the longest delays, with appointment wait times stretching to nearly nine months. The German Missions say they now expect this to drop to just a few days. This change could benefit students applying close to term start dates or workers needing to relocate quickly for jobs.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
13-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Why Indian students prefer Ireland over UK, US, Canada in 2025: Decoded
Indian students are increasingly looking beyond traditional destinations like the UK, US and Australia when choosing where to study abroad. According to a study-abroad platform, interest in countries like Ireland has surged by 38% in the past year. 'In 2024, the total number of Indian students going abroad fell by nearly 15% from the previous year,' said Mamta Shekhawat, founder of 'Canada recorded the sharpest drop at 41%, followed by 27.7% in the UK and 13% in the US. Meanwhile, interest in Singapore, Ireland and Dubai has grown.' Ireland sees rise in student enrolments 'Ireland has firmly positioned itself as one of the fastest-growing study abroad destinations for Indian students,' said Sachin Jain, Country Manager at ETS India & South Asia. 'Enrolments rose nearly 50% from around 4,745 in 2022–23 to over 7,070 in 2023–24.' He attributed this growth to several factors: * Public universities and 14 institutes of technology, including Trinity College Dublin and University College Dublin * Tuition and living expenses ranging from EUR 30,000–40,000 per year—30–40% lower than the US or UK * One-year master's programmes * The Third Level Graduate Scheme, allowing one to two years of post-study work * Large employers across tech, healthcare and consulting sectors recruiting from campuses 'Ireland has one of the most stable international student policy frameworks globally,' Jain said. 'It promotes genuine students who come to study and work. TOEFL is accepted for visa applications, and students can use either test-centre or home edition scores.' He added that students cannot switch between courses or universities mid-way and must apply afresh. 'There is no dependent visa, and study visa duration doesn't count towards permanent residency. Those on critical skills permits can apply after two years of work.' Top source country for Irish universities According to IDP Education, India was the leading source country for international students in Ireland in 2023–24. 'Ireland is fast becoming a preferred destination for Indian students looking for quality education and career opportunities,' said Piyush Kumar, Regional Director for South Asia, Canada and LATAM at IDP Education. 'There's a post-study work visa of up to two years, a welcoming environment, and no cap on international student numbers.' He also pointed to the presence of global employers: 'Ireland hosts the European headquarters of companies like Google, Meta, Apple and Microsoft. It's the EU's second largest pharmaceutical exporter and a global leader in medtech.' Trinity College Dublin is a member of the League of European Research Universities (LERU), which Kumar described as an indicator of Ireland's academic standing. English-speaking and accessible 'Ireland's English-speaking environment removes language barriers students often face elsewhere,' said Manisha Zaveri, Joint Managing Director at Career Mosaic. 'The immigration process is streamlined, and students find the transition from study to work quite smooth.' She said Ireland suits those looking at business, health sciences, analytics or innovation-led careers, while countries like Germany still appeal to those in core engineering. 'Ireland ticks key boxes—English instruction, two-year stay-back, and alignment between education, immigration, and industry,' added Akshay Chaturvedi, Founder and CEO of Leverage Edu. 'Student numbers have grown from 700 in 2013 to over 7,000 in 2023.' Sectors offering strong job prospects Zaveri said the strongest job prospects for Indian graduates in Ireland are in IT, finance, pharmaceuticals and healthcare. 'Dublin's growth in financial services post-Brexit has opened up roles in banking, investment and fintech. There's also rising demand for allied health professionals.' She noted that some fields still lag: 'Architecture and aerospace engineering are still developing and don't offer the same opportunities yet.' How Ireland compares on cost and work Jain said tuition and living expenses in Ireland typically range from €30,000–40,000 per year. Students can work 20 hours a week during term time and earn up to €250 weekly. Starting salaries post-graduation usually fall between €30,000–40,000 (Rs 28-37 lakh), which Jain said provides a good return on investment. Merit-based scholarships also make a difference: < Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship covers tuition and living costs for postgraduate students < Scholarships from University College Dublin and Dublin City University range from €2,000 to €7,000 Life beyond Dublin Zaveri said cities like Cork, Galway and Limerick offer affordable living, respected institutions and growing job markets. 'Dublin is a major hub, but these cities are gaining popularity for their mix of affordability and quality education.' While some students take time to adjust to Ireland's independent learning style, she said most adapt well with university support services. Challenges and adjustments Shekhawat said tighter immigration rules and reduced post-study work options in places like Australia and Canada have contributed to the decline in traditional destinations. 'These changes discourage students who are looking for long-term career prospects.' While Ireland has become an attractive option for Indian students, it still presents some challenges—particularly around housing, cost of living in major cities, and adapting to a different academic culture. 'Accommodation has been a bit tricky, especially in Dublin,' said Piyush Kumar of IDP Education. 'But the Irish government is investing €100 million to help universities build more on-campus housing. It shows they're taking steps to support international students.' Living expenses can be steep in central Dublin, especially when compared to cities in Germany or parts of Eastern Europe. Rent, transport and food bills in the capital often stretch budgets, and students are increasingly considering alternatives. Cultural adjustment is another factor. 'The weather in Ireland tends to be grey and rainy, and for some students, that can be a bit of a downer initially,' said Kumar. 'But the active Indian community helps ease the transition.' Academically, the style of teaching in Irish universities focuses heavily on independent research and critical thinking, which can be unfamiliar at first. 'Students used to more structured or guided learning environments may need time to adapt,' said Zaveri. 'But with proper orientation, academic counselling and peer support, they usually settle in well.' There are also structural differences in student policies that some may find restrictive. 'Ireland doesn't offer dependent visas for international students, so those travelling with spouses or children might face hurdles,' said Jain. 'Also, time spent on a study visa does not count towards permanent residency, which some students overlook when making long-term plans.' Despite these issues, student feedback remains largely positive. 'The clarity of Ireland's post-study work options and the availability of part-time jobs make it a workable destination for most students,' Zaveri said. 'It's not without its challenges, but many find it a better balance than other destinations right now.'
