US universities see 70 pct drop in Indian students' intake amid visa crisis: Report
U.S. universities have witnessed a sharp drop in Indian students' admissions this time amid the Trump administration's ongoing crisis with international students.
Education consultants in Hyderabad have noted that the outbound student traffic has dipped by 70 percent.
The dip comes as a result of the ongoing freeze in visa appointment slots and a sudden increase in visa rejection rates.
"By this time usually, most students are done with their visa interviews and are preparing to fly. This year, we're still refreshing the portal every day hoping for a slot to open. It's the worst in years," Sanjeev Rai from Hyderabad Overseas Consultant told the Times of India.
US authorities had promised that visa slots would be released in phases. However, there is a lot of obscurity, leaving students anxious.
Moreover, students who managed to book slots have not been able to receive confirmation, Ankit Jain from Window Overseas Education Consultancy said.
Owing to this, students are exploring other countries for education.
Section 214(b) of the US Immigration and Nationality Act is a common ground for visa rejections. It is given when the applicant does not demonstrate sufficient ties to their home country to prove that they would return home after the visit.
Meanwhile, the US Consulate General in Hyderabad has said that slots have resumed and has advised students to check the embassy or website for appointment availability.
"We're working to fully vet visa applicants to ensure they do not intend to harm America or our interests, and that they credibly establish their eligibility for the visa sought, including that they intend to engage in activities consistent with the terms of their admission. We encourage applicants to apply as early as they can and to anticipate additional processing time for these visa categories," a spokesperson from the US Consulate General in Hyderabad was quoted by NDTV.
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