F-1 visa news: Thousands of Indian students accepted to top US universities are facing uncertainty as F-1 visa appointment slots remain unavailable, with orientation just weeks away. Many admit they have been checking the US visa portal multiple times daily—yet no appointments have opened up.
The situation is particularly dire for MBA students who have secured seats at top-15 US business schools. One such student on Reddit shared, “Orientation starts August 11 and classes begin August 25. My school is flexible, but I can’t pay tuition without a loan, and my loan needs a visa appointment to be disbursed.”
Students Raise Alarm With Authorities
In response to the worsening situation, several student groups have reportedly submitted a letter to the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of External Affairs, urging them to intervene. “About a 1000 students have signed the appeal to request the release of more F-1 slots,” shared another applicant whose orientation begins on August 20.
This is not the first time students have faced such uncertainty. But the situation this year appears worse, with students claiming they’ve waited up to six months without a single slot opening. The U.S. Embassy has stated in official notifications that no bulk slots will be released until further notice, deepening the anxiety.
Mounting Stress and Financial Pressure
Many students are reluctant to make tuition payments from personal savings, fearing the visa may not arrive in time. One said, “My school is willing to wait until September, but with no appointment in sight, that may not help.”
Despite universities offering flexibility, the emotional and financial toll is heavy. Some fear missing their chance to join their dream programs after months of preparation and investment. A student whose classes begin August 18 and orientation on August 9 said, “I’ve been waiting for six months. There’s still no slot.”
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.”