Ongoing US Student Visa Delays Leave International Students in Limbo

Despite the recent resumption of student visa interview scheduling, international students around the world are still facing serious challenges in securing appointments at U.S. embassies and consulates. The prolonged delays have sparked growing concerns that many students may miss key summer and fall enrollment deadlines at U.S. institutions.

The backlog follows a near month-long suspension of visa appointment scheduling that lasted from May 27 to June 26. While operations have technically resumed, the process remains unstable. Mark Overmann, Executive Director of the Alliance for International Exchange, described the restart as “rocky” and “unpredictable,” with many students continuing to experience appointment scarcity, cancellations, and administrative hurdles.

Severe Impacts Across Programs and Countries
The disruption comes at the peak period for student visa processing and has already impacted seasonal exchange programs, including those involving au pairs, camp counselors, researchers, and visiting teachers. More critically, anxiety is mounting among students with confirmed U.S. university admissions for the upcoming academic year.

According to NAFSA, based on over 90 anonymous institutional reports, 73% of colleges anticipate a drop in international enrollment this fall. About 40% say students are already turning away from study or research opportunities in the U.S.

The hardest-hit countries include India, China, and Nigeria—three of the largest student-sending nations to the U.S.—where consulates are reportedly facing massive appointment backlogs and cancellations.

“I’ve yet to hear of anyone in my network securing a new interview date in Nigeria,” said Bimpe Femi-Oyewo, CEO of Edward Consulting. While many of her clients had secured slots prior to the freeze, those searching for new appointments are facing a near-total shutdown.

Students are even traveling between Nigerian states in search of available slots, though expedited appointment requests have largely failed. “Sadly, some outstanding Nigerian students—despite securing top U.S. admissions and test scores—may miss out due to the limited visa availability,” she added.

In India, the effects are similarly widespread. Rachit Agrawal, co-founder of the Indian education consultancy AdmitKard, said the freeze and continued delays have had a “significant ripple effect” on student morale.

“There’s a growing sense of anxiety,” Agrawal noted. “Many students still can’t find appointments at major consulates like New Delhi, Mumbai, and Hyderabad.”

Elsewhere, delays have also been reported in the Philippines and Colombia, with no interview availability in Manila until August and in Bogotá until November. Some embassies, such as in Cairo, are reportedly still pausing F and J visa interviews altogether.

Policy Issues and Growing Criticism
At the heart of the delays is the implementation of President Trump’s enhanced visa vetting protocols, which require more intensive screening—particularly of applicants’ social media activity. Visa seekers are being asked to make their social media profiles public to allow for greater scrutiny, a policy that critics say raises serious privacy concerns and lacks transparency.

Overmann noted reports of applicants being denied solely for having private social media accounts, including high school exchange students—many of whom are minors. “We don’t want well-qualified high school students to be penalized just for following best practices for online safety,” he said.

Critics argue the vetting system’s vague directive to screen for “hostile attitudes” gives consular officers excessive discretionary power, likely resulting in inconsistent and potentially biased decisions.

Additionally, the U.S. Department of State’s current policy of prioritizing students from universities with fewer than 15% international enrollment has been criticized for creating an unfair “two-tier appointment system.” Stakeholders like the Alliance and NAFSA have urged the department to instead prioritize based on program start dates.

Shifting Student Preferences
While many U.S. colleges are attempting to accommodate affected students through deferrals, remote learning, and late-start options, the instability has already influenced global student mobility. NAFSA data shows declining interest in U.S. study, with students increasingly considering alternate destinations like the UK, Australia, Germany, and China.

“Visa unpredictability is pushing students to look elsewhere,” Agrawal said, noting that the UK and European countries offer more reliable processing timelines.

Still, some students remain hopeful. Femi-Oyewo said that despite current frustrations, “U.S. education remains a top priority for Nigerian students,” with many already planning ahead for 2026 intake cycles. However, she acknowledged that more students are now also considering Canada, Spain, France, and the UK.

As delays persist and communication from U.S. embassies remains limited, families, institutions, and counselors alike are left wondering whether the world’s leading study destination can maintain its appeal in an increasingly competitive global market.

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