Indian Students Face U.S. Visa Issues

Summary:

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of India has reported challenges faced by Indian students in obtaining U.S. student visa appointments due to newly implemented screening and vetting measures by American authorities. This issue was raised by Minister of State for External Affairs, Kirti Vardhan Singh, in a written response to the Rajya Sabha on July 24, 2025.

• On June 18, 2025, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) announced expanded screening protocols for visa applicants. This includes comprehensive vetting procedures for international students under F, M, and J nonimmigrant visa categories.
• The announcement mandates that all student visa applicants adjust their social media privacy settings to "public" to facilitate thorough vetting by the U.S. authorities.
• In light of these developments, numerous representations have been made to the MEA by Indian students and their families expressing concerns over the difficulties in securing visa appointments.
• The MEA has proactively engaged with the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi and the U.S. State Department to address these challenges faced by potential Indian students seeking U.S. visas.
• While issuing visas is primarily the prerogative of the issuing state, the Indian government has expressed its commitment to promoting secure and efficient frameworks for the mobility of students and professionals between India and the U.S.
• In a separate discussion regarding the complications posed by illegal immigration and human trafficking, the MEA highlighted its continued collaboration with U.S. authorities to counter such crimes effectively.
• The MEA has acknowledged the emergence of illegal immigration rackets within the country that exploit individuals seeking employment overseas. Advisories regarding these fraudulent schemes are disseminated through the eMigrate portal and various channels of communication.
• To combat illegal emigration practices, the MEA has identified and notified over 3,500 illegal agents operating within the country on the eMigrate portal as of June 2025.
• The Ministry has also conducted awareness campaigns regarding safe and legal migration, focusing on regulations and schemes beneficial to emigrants such as the Pravasi Bharatiya Bima Yojana (PBBY) and Pre-Departure Orientation Training (PDOT). These initiatives aim to inform aspiring emigrants, law enforcement, and the general public about legal pathways for migration.

Overall, the MEA is working towards addressing both the immediate concerns related to U.S. student visas and the broader challenges posed by illegal immigration within India, reinforcing its commitment to safeguarding the interests of Indian citizens abroad.

Key Points:

• MEA reports increased difficulties for Indian students in obtaining U.S. student visas due to expanded U.S. vetting.
• U.S. DOS mandates social media privacy settings to be public for visa applicants as part of the vetting process.
• The Indian government is actively elevating these concerns with U.S. authorities.
• MEA emphasizes its dedication to secure and efficient mobility frameworks for students and professionals.
• Ongoing engagement with U.S. authorities to combat illegal immigration and trafficking issues.
• Over 3,500 illegal agents reported on the eMigrate portal relating to emigration fraud.
• MEA conducts awareness campaigns about legal migration pathways and regulations, targeting both individuals and law enforcement agencies.