US Visa: The US Embassy in India recently underscored that American visa screening doesn’t end once a visa is issued. The mission also warned that visas will get revoked if US laws and immigration rules are not followed.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), it wrote: “US visa screening does not stop after a visa is issued. We continuously check visa holders to ensure they follow all U.S. laws and immigration rules – and we will revoke their visas and deport them if they don’t.”
The warning comes as the United States implements stricter visa procedures, particularly under the second term of President Donald Trump, and Indian students are feeling the heat. Several applicants have reportedly had their visas revoked for alleged involvement in protests or contact with law enforcement, leading to growing apprehension among applicants.
Student visa approvals see a significant drop
New US State Department data reveals that Indian student visa approvals have dropped by 27% between March and May 2025 compared to the same period in 2023. Only 9,906 F-1 student visas were issued during this time which is down from 14,987 in 2023 and even lower than the post-Covid figure of 10,894 in 2022. In 2024, the figure was 13,478.
This slowdown began even before Trump’s return, with visa denial rates climbing in late 2024. However, the decline accelerated sharply after May 2025, when the US government paused visa interviews and imposed new screening rules, including tighter social media checks.
A two-week pause from 27 May to 18 June was introduced to install stricter vetting measures. During this time, students could not book new interviews. The US Embassy in New Delhi advised visa applicants in F, M, and J categories to make their social media profiles public to avoid delays.
Meanwhile, lawsuits from students whose visas were revoked are now underway, while American universities face financial strain due to reduced international enrolments.
US Visa Integrity Fee to hike costs further
From 2026, the new US Visa Integrity Fee will add $250 (approx. ₹21,400) to the cost of most non-immigrant visas. This includes B-1/B-2 (tourism/business), F and M (students), H-1B (work), and J (exchange visitor) visas. Only diplomatic visa categories (A and G) are exempt.
Currently, a standard B-1/B-2 visa costs $185 (₹15,800). With the new charges including the I-94 fee and ESTA, total costs could rise to $472 (₹40,502), more than 2.5 times the current rate.
Indian students exploring other countries
Given the increasing costs, delays, and uncertainty, many Indian students are exploring alternative destinations like Canada, the UK, and Australia for higher education. Education consultants note a marked shift in enquiries over the past two months.
Despite the hurdles, the US Embassy has confirmed that F-1 visa appointments have resumed and advised applicants to apply early and expect longer processing times.