US pauses student visa interviews, raising concern among Indian aspirants ahead of fall intake

A sudden pause in student visa interview scheduling by the United States has sparked anxiety among thousands of international students, particularly from India, which contributes the largest share of foreign students in the US. The temporary halt, reportedly tied to new social media vetting guidelines under review by the US State Department, has left many Indian students uncertain about their plans for the upcoming academic session starting August–September.

Education consultant Viral Doshi has urged students not to panic, saying the move is procedural and temporary. “They’ve only paused interviews—not visa approvals entirely. Once the updated social media screening policy is finalised, student interviews will resume with priority given to those with upcoming academic deadlines,” he said, calling the issue global and not India-specific.

The Trump administration’s tightening of immigration policies has already made students wary. Some, particularly in cities like Hyderabad, are reconsidering destinations, with Australia, New Zealand, Germany, and the UK emerging as alternatives. Meanwhile, others like Matsya, admitted to the University of Maryland, remain hopeful despite the wait. “Deferring is better than giving up,” she said.

Still, a few students like Vignesvern, who secured a visa for Carnegie Mellon, see their approval as rare relief amid growing uncertainty. With Indian students accounting for 3.31 lakh of the 11 lakh international students in the US, their concerns are tied not just to education but also to the $43.8 billion contribution international students make to the US economy annually.