For the benefit of Indian students looking to go to America for studies, the US Embassy has made available thousands of student visa appointments across the Indian consulates. The United States Embassy in New Delhi is one of the world’s largest diplomatic posts, managing the activities of four consulates in Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, and Hyderabad.
The one-stop place for students applying for a US visa is the ustraveldocs website. From how to apply for your nonimmigrant visa for travel to the United States, to the documents, photos and information you need to apply for your visa to how to pay your visa application fee to the process to schedule your interview at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate General, you can get all the information there.
The U.S. Embassy announced on its official X account that thousands of student visa applications are now available under Mission India.
As far as wait time for a U.S. visa is concerned, the Department of State provides monthly data on the average wait time for nonimmigrant visa applicants and the approximate wait time for future visitor visa interviews.
The current wait time for a US visa interview can be found using the Global Visa Wait Times table.
America has been the most popular study abroad country for international students, including those from India. However, the recent student visa crackdown by the Trump administration seems to have shaken up the student community.
The number of US students studying abroad has dropped dramatically in the last year, perhaps reducing America’s reputation as a study abroad destination.
Boston College Professor Chris R. Glass’s analysis of SEVIS data revealed an 11.33% decrease in the number of international students in the United States between March 2024 and March 2025, according to the Association of American Universities report. The extent to which this is attributed to Trump remains uncertain.
US authorities have been revoking student F-1 visas and also terminating the SEVIS record that made their stay in America illegal. Later, authorities informed the US courts that SEVIS records were being reinstated and a standard protocol would be followed to remove students with revoked visas.
ICE issued an internal memo that is expected to be followed before sending students back to their home country after revocation of their visas.
For the students going to the US for studies, the OPT program is the clincher as it helps them to earn work experience in American businesses. However, there’s a potential risk to the continuity of the program. US lawmakers have introduced a bill in Congress titled ‘Fairness for High-Skilled Americans Act of 2025’ to end the Optional Practical Training Program.
So, is America still a popular choice for students looking to study abroad, or has its appeal waned? The current situation is fluid and once the crackdown settles, the US may re-emerge as the first choice for international students. In the meantime, students are exploring other countries as study abroad destinations other than the US.
Also Read: 10 warning signs for F-1 students, H-1B visa holders, and Green Card holders as US crackdown continues