The Indian student community expecting to study in the US has been rocked by a recent halt on new student visa interviews and scrutiny of social media profiles by US authorities. Students, parents, and counselors are concerned about the trend, especially those getting ready for the September 2025 and 2026 intake. A source discusses the effects of this pause and gives guidance to students facing these unsettling times.
Students who want to enroll at US colleges for the next academic year are expected to be impacted by the suspension of new student visa interviews. Source says, “If this pause extends, students should have a plan B.” This is a warning to students to be ready for the worst. Those in the middle of the application process now have to decide whether to wait for the next intake, explore other equally fine schools, or wait it out.
Source recommends students who are considering the September 2025 entry to use patience rather than fear. “If no improvement happens in two to three weeks, students might be better-off deferring to 2026,” according to the source. He advises students aiming for 2026 to keep applying to US colleges while also considering backup plans. “Don’t halt your US application, but also begin applications in other countries to avoid last-minute disappointment over lost scholarships or filled seats,” recommends him.
Delays are possible but not guaranteed, he notes. Early-stage recalibration is the reason for the stoppage. Many students may still be able to obtain visas in time if it finishes swiftly. Students who currently have appointments can continue as planned, and existing visa appointments are not impacted. Source advises students to wait for more information before making travel arrangements or quitting their employment.
Although it is not new, social media scrutiny is growing in popularity. Visa examiners will review applicants’ digital profiles for differences to see if a student’s online persona matches the information they provided on their application. “They’ll also examine if someone could pose a security threat or hold extreme views,” he continues. According to the source, students should tidy up their profiles because “posts from as far back as five or seven years can be dug up.” Anything that doesn’t represent who you are now should be deleted. Nothing is forgotten on social media.
“The US is now rigorously imposing rules that were always there,” he claims. OPT holders are required to avoid more than 90 days of unemployment, and student visa holders are still restricted from working more than the number of hours permitted. He says, “You can’t say ‘I didn’t know the rule existed.'” Students should actively learn and abide by immigration laws. It is your duty to be aware of the laws of the country you are visiting.
Scholarships don’t usually roll over, in contrast to admission offers. Scholarships are typically linked to a specific academic year and may expire if not utilized. He does add, though, that institutions may have money left over for the following year because the applications have been delayed. However, he cautions, “nothing is guaranteed.”
During 2020–2022, a large backlog of students postponed their plans because to the COVID-19 pandemic. This pent-up demand resulted in a huge spike in outbound student mobility when overseas travel resumed. But not all students traveled overseas exclusively for academic purposes, many were enticed by more general migration goals. In well-known countries like the UK and Canada, this spike led to policy recalibrations as governments grew cautious about possible system abuse. Parents and kids need to be on the lookout for developments and adjust to the ever-evolving world of foreign education.
