The US State Department temporarily halted immigration visa interview appointments at its embassies at the end of August, disrupting study and travel plans for Indian and Chinese students. The pause has forced some students to defer university enrolment, according to livemint.com. This interruption comes just before the new academic year, affecting thousands of prospective international students.
The suspension of visa interviews was announced by the US government and has led to significant delays in processing student visas. Many applicants from India and China have reported difficulties in securing timely appointments, causing uncertainty over their ability to start courses on schedule. The pause is part of a broader review of visa processing procedures, with no immediate timeline given for resumption, livemint.com reported.
This disruption could accelerate a shift among Asian students toward alternative study destinations if delays persist. The US has traditionally been a top choice for higher education, but the current visa uncertainty may affect its competitiveness. The pause also comes amid heightened geopolitical tensions and evolving immigration policies, which may influence student mobility patterns in the region, according to livemint.com.
The US visa interview pause began in late August and remains in effect as of early September, with no official date announced for when normal processing will resume, according to livemint.com. Universities and students are monitoring the situation closely as the academic year progresses.