U.S. Embassy in India Releases Limited Student Visa Appointments amid Backlog and Enhanced Vetting

Meanwhile, education consultants warn that visa issuance to Indian students fell by 27% between March and May 2025, while the forecast for Fall arrivals shows a possible 70–80% decline compared to last year.

Thousands of Indian students admitted to U.S. universities are confronting mounting uncertainty as the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in India struggle to process student visas efficiently. Limited appointment slots, introduced in response to stringent screening policies implemented in June 2025, have stalled visa issuance and raised fears of a dramatic drop in Fall arrivals.

As of June 18, 2025, the U.S. State Department implemented enhanced screening protocols for all F‑1, M‑1, and J‑1 visa applicants, including mandatory submission of social media handles used over the past five years and the requirement to make those profiles public

From May 27 to June 26, U.S. consulates globally, including in India, paused scheduling new student visa interviews to accommodate this policy shift

While interviews resumed at the end of June, the backlog and additional vetting steps have drastically reduced consular capacity. The U.S. Embassy has acknowledged the situation and announced it is releasing a limited number of additional visa appointment slots through the end of August to address urgent demand.

Further, the embassy is preparing an FAQ fact sheet to clarify procedures, and has prioritized J‑1 physician visa applicants via a software system

Diplomatic pressure is mounting: a bipartisan group of 14–15 U.S. lawmakers has formally urged the State Department to swiftly resolve the backlog and ensure equitable access to appointments, requesting a detailed response by August 8, 2025.

Meanwhile, education consultants warn that visa issuance to Indian students fell by 27% between March and May 2025, while the forecast for Fall arrivals shows a possible 70–80% decline compared to last year.

Following the resumption of interviews on June 26, Indian applicants continue to face chaos: erratic slot availability, sudden removals of booking portals, and a rise in administrative processing under Section 221(g)

Extended wait times—often 45 to 60 days—threaten to derail travel plans, leading many students to consider deferral or alternate study destinations

What Students Should Know:

Preparation is essential: Submit DS‑160 and SEVIS documents early, even if appointments aren’t immediately available.

Monitor appointment portals frequently, as slots are sporadically released and can vanish quickly.

Comply with new social media rules by making accounts public and removing any potentially flagged content.

Have fallback options ready, including deferring enrollment or considering other countries such as Canada or Europe.