Indian Students Stranded in Visa-Lending-Tuition Loop as US F-1 Appointments Remain Unavailable

Thousands of Indian students admitted to top US universities are stuck in uncertainty due to unavailable F-1 visa appointment slots and orientation dates just weeks away. Education consultants say this situation is becoming increasingly common among late-admit students, particularly at postgraduate level. Students can work with lenders to arrange necessary funds or explore visa appointments in nearby countries. If no appointment is secured, students may need to request a deferral, delayed start, or prepare for a Spring 2026 intake.

Thousands of Indian students admitted to top US universities are facing significant uncertainty due to the unavailability of F-1 visa appointment slots, with orientation dates just weeks away. This situation has become increasingly common among late-admit students, particularly at the postgraduate level [1].

Education consultants have reported that the ongoing freeze in US visa appointment slots and a sudden rise in rejection rates are the primary causes of this delay. Sanjeev Rai of Hyderabad Overseas Consultant, speaking to the Times of India, noted that typically by this time of year, most students would have completed their visa interviews and begun making travel plans. However, this year, consultants are stuck refreshing the appointment portal daily, hoping for a slot to open [1].

The US Consulate General in Hyderabad has acknowledged the issue and stated that visa slots have resumed. However, the process remains murky and inconsistent, with many applicants facing uncertainty even after booking appointments. Ankit Jain of Window Overseas Education Consultancy commented that many applicants haven’t received confirmation after booking a slot, leaving students in limbo [1].

The situation is particularly dire for MBA students who have secured seats at top-15 US business schools. One student shared on Reddit that orientation starts August 11 and classes begin August 25, but without a visa appointment, they cannot pay tuition or secure a loan [2].

Students are now exploring alternative destinations due to prolonged delays and high rejection risks. A 23-year-old applicant who withdrew their US application to explore Germany for a master’s in automotive engineering said, “I couldn’t afford to wait any longer — I risk losing an entire academic year” [1].

Education consultants have also noted an unusually high rate of visa denials, even for students with strong academic and personal profiles. Jain noted that students with clean social media histories are being rejected under Section 214(b) of the US Immigration and Nationality Act [1].

To mitigate the situation, students can work with lenders to arrange necessary funds or explore visa appointments in nearby countries. If no appointment is secured, students may need to request a deferral, delayed start, or prepare for the Spring 2026 intake.

The US visa process has long been stringent, but the intensity of enforcement has increased in recent years. Ravi Lothumalla of US Admission, a Texas-based immigration consulting firm, emphasized that the vetting process isn’t new, but the intensity of enforcement has changed [1].

The situation has prompted several student groups to submit a letter to the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of External Affairs, urging them to intervene. “About 1000 students have signed the appeal to request the release of more F-1 slots,” shared another applicant whose orientation begins on August 20 [2].

As hope dims with each passing day, students are left with one common refrain: “We just want a fair shot to attend the schools we worked so hard to get into.”

References:
[1] https://www.greatandhra.com/articles/special-articles/us-faces-70-80-drop-in-indian-students-as-visa-crisis-deepens-147791
[2] https://www.financialexpress.com/business/investing-abroad-f-1-visa-nightmare-indian-students-race-against-time-to-save-their-us-dreams-3920846/