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Business Standard
11 hours ago
- Business
- Business Standard
US F-1 visa interviews just got tougher: What Indian students can do right
The United States has resumed F-1 student visa processing after a brief suspension, but applicants now face stricter scrutiny. A new requirement announced on Thursday by the US State Department mandates foreign students to provide open access to their social media accounts—part of what officials describe as a step towards national security checks. What Indian students should keep in mind when preparing for F-1 visa interviews? Indian education consultants say students need to prepare both practically and mentally, not just for the visa application but also for the interview. 'F-1 visa interviews are a high-stakes but nuanced process, and it's understandable that students feel unsettled when outcomes vary widely. But what we've seen over the years is that success often hinges less on perfect answers and more on whether the student can clearly and confidently articulate their intent, preparation, and long-term plan,' said Akshay Chaturvedi, founder and CEO of Leverage Edu. 'Confidence helps but it's not about being bold, it's about being clear. My advice is: aim for coherence over cleverness; the ability to clearly connect your story, course, and career goal often stands out the most,' he said. Recently, an Indian student shared his experience at Delhi embassy in a Reddit post, where three people ahead of him were denied visas, but his was approved. According to his account: • The first candidate, pursuing computer science, failed to name any programming language when asked. • The second detailed family finances—'₹1 crore in savings, ₹5 crore in FDs, plus a ₹1.4 lakh loan'—which may have appeared excessive or rehearsed. • The third, a female applicant, cited the city's weather and lifestyle as her reason for choosing a university, without mentioning the course. His own interview was more straightforward: The officer, an Indian-American, asked for his passport and I-20 form. He was questioned about his BSc and MSc in mathematics and his proposed PhD. Despite a minor fumble, he described his research focus and stated that his programme was fully funded. The officer simply responded, 'Your visa has been approved. Enjoy your stay in the United States.' How to prepare for the F-1 visa interview 'Officers look for students who understand why they are going, what they are studying, and how they are funding it,' said Sanjog Anand, co-founder of Rostrum Education. 'Balance confidence by practising mock interviews and avoiding rehearsed or exaggerated answers. Speak naturally, stick to the point, and always answer truthfully; overexplaining or faking confidence often raises red flags,' he added. On visa denials despite academic excellence or scholarships, Anand said: 'In order to get an F-1 visa, one must fulfil three categories, one of which is showing that you will be returning to your home country after your studies. Other factors include concerning digital footprint, inconsistent or vague career plans, suspicious documents, and rehearsed answers.' Application authenticity matters Piyush Kumar, regional director (South Asia, Canada and Latin America) at IDP Education, pointed to the importance of authenticity. 'A key reason behind the success of applicants is the authenticity of the application and the intent that they are able to communicate to the visa officers. Therefore, students are advised to be honest and clear about their academic background, journey and goals,' Kumar said. 'Consistency and transparency help establish credibility. Applicants must ensure that the visa application forms are filled out accurately and reflect the same information shared during the interview and on their social media platforms,' he added. Kumar also noted that the ability to express ideas fluently matters more than perfect grammar. 'Having a proficient command of the language is pivotal. Being able to articulate thoughts and express goals and choices matters more than using perfect grammar. The visa officers are also gatekeepers of quality, and evaluate candidature based on language proficiency required to effectively live and study in a foreign country,' he said. Top reasons for F-1 visa denial According to Mamta Shekhawat, founder of the most common reasons Indian students face rejection are: Intention to return home: Students must show strong ties to India. Lack of family connections, property, or a clear job path may create suspicion about potential overstay. Poor interview performance: Nervousness or unclear responses about study and career plans can harm chances. Documentation issues: Incomplete or inconsistent documents can lead to denial even if the rest of the application is strong. Country of origin and risk category: Students from regions with high overstay rates may face additional scrutiny. Previous visa history: Past visa refusals or attempts to switch visa types could work against the applicant. Coping with rejection "Receiving an F-1 visa denial, particularly following careful preparation, could be demoralising and disheartening for students. It is not a reflection of your worth or potential; rather, it is a consequence of things outside your control, like increasing rejection rates, location trends, or merely the personal nature of consular interviews," said Shekhawat. She advised students to read denial letters carefully to identify areas of concern such as financial strength, ties to India, or vague career goals. 'Your next step must be to improve on these areas for your future applications. It must express your academic and professional plans in all sincerity,' she said. Anand added, 'Visa denial is not final; you can always reapply. If your visa gets denied in the first attempt, chin up and learn what mistakes led to that and improve that aspect of your application. You can always reach out to professional mentors and educators to seek professional help.'
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Business Standard
29-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Trump wants 15% cap on foreign students: What it means for Indians
US President Donald Trump wants Harvard to limit foreign student enrolment to 15%, a change that could impact thousands of Indian students hoping to study in the US. 'I think they should have a cap of maybe around 15%, not 31%,' Trump said on Wednesday at the White House, taking direct aim at the institution's current admissions practices. 'We have people who want to go to Harvard and other schools, they can't get in because we have foreign students there.' This new target follows Trump's attempt last week to stop Harvard from enrolling any foreign students. His push against Harvard and other universities has become part of a wider drive to reshape policies on everything from admissions to hiring. Officials say the move is part of efforts to tackle antisemitism linked to protests against Israel's war in Gaza. Funding freezes and lawsuits Trump's remarks come as the administration has frozen more than $2.6 billion in federal research funding for Harvard. Harvard has responded by suing the government over the funding cuts and secured a temporary court order stopping the administration from banning international students altogether. At Harvard, nearly 6,800 students — 27% of the student body — come from overseas, up from 20% in 2006, according to the university. When including fellows, non-degree participants and their dependents, the number of international people on campus exceeds 10,000. 'I want to make sure that the foreign students are people that can love our country,' Trump said. Foreign students are a key source of revenue for US universities, typically paying full tuition fees. Harvard offers financial aid to international undergraduates. Trump has also repeated calls for Harvard to lose its tax-exempt status, despite its endowment of $53 billion. His administration is moving to end all federal contracts with the university. Impact on Indian students Among those watching closely are the roughly 788 Indian students currently enrolled at Harvard. 'This development is particularly concerning given that India has become the leading source of international students in the US,' noted Sanjog Anand, co-founder of Rostrum Education. He pointed out that over 331,600 Indian students were enrolled in the US during the 2023–24 academic year, making up nearly 30% of the international student body. Anand told Business Standard, 'While the situation is concerning, it's important to remember that universities and advocacy groups are already working towards swift resolutions. The Trump administration has given Harvard six conditions that need to be fulfilled. Instead of jumping to conclusions, we should allow the matter to unfold further.' Saurabh Arora, founder and CEO of University Living, weighed in: 'The US Department of Homeland Security's move to pause Harvard's ability to enrol new international students comes amid concerns around campus climate and administrative oversight. 'The United States remains a top choice for Indian students, thanks to its world-class universities, research opportunities, and professional pathways. However, these developments may prompt families to more carefully weigh their options, especially those prioritising policy consistency and transparency. 'It's important to remember that international students contribute more than just tuition. They bring global perspectives that enrich classrooms and research. According to our Indian Student Mobility Report 2024, Indian students are projected to spend $17.4 billion annually, including $10.1 billion on academic expenses alone.' A mixed picture For Rahul Subramaniam, co-founder of Athena Education, the recent policy signals should be seen in a wider context. 'International students — especially those from India — are integral to the US higher education ecosystem. Many public universities rely on their presence for both academic strength and financial sustainability,' he said. He continued: 'We see the current developments as a moment of flux, not a structural shift. While some recent measures may appear restrictive, similar actions in the past have been swiftly reversed or modified to avoid long-term impact. At the same time, there have been contrasting proposals aimed at attracting top international talent, including suggestions like automatic green cards for high-achieving graduates. These reaffirm the United States' continued recognition of global talent.' Nikhil Mudgal, founder and CEO of Lorien Finance, noted: 'It's important to remember that this is a developing story. A federal judge in California has already issued an injunction, providing temporary relief by blocking the administration's efforts to revoke the legal status of thousands of international students. 'That said, the situation highlights the need to stay informed and prepared. Students should maintain close communication with university officials, seek expert immigration advice and be open to alternative pathways if necessary.' Sripal Jain, co-founder of Simandhar Education, cautioned that the situation could have far-reaching consequences: 'While national security and institutional accountability are important considerations, the sweeping nature of this action, impacting nearly 6,800 international students, raises concerns about proportionality and the broader implications for global academic collaboration. 'It is crucial that affected students seek timely guidance from educational counsellors and relevant authorities to manage this evolving situation. We remain hopeful that constructive dialogue will lead to a resolution that upholds both national interests and the foundational values of academic freedom and international exchange.'
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Business Standard
23-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Germany ends visa appeals: Costlier path for Indian students, workers
Come July 1, Indian visa applicants to Germany will no longer be able to appeal a rejection through a simple letter to the consulate. The German government has decided to end its visa remonstration process globally, meaning any challenge to a visa refusal will now require formal court proceedings. Germany has become an increasingly popular destination for Indian students and workers, particularly as visa hurdles grow in countries like Canada, the US, and the UK. But this change introduces a fresh layer of complexity for those hoping to travel, study or work there. 'In the past, on a rejected German Schengen visa application, a person could provide a remonstration letter to the consulate or embassy of Germany that rejected it,' said Mamta Shekhawat, founder of a study abroad platform. 'This was an informal appeal of the application where the applicant could provide additional information or clarify any misunderstanding without going through the formalities of legal procedures. It was an affordable and convenient means of reviewing potential mistakes or oversights in the original application.' Shekhawat said the change will affect Indian students in several ways: Greater pressure for perfection: Small mistakes in documentation or confusion on the application could now lead to a flat rejection, requiring a full restart of the process Increased costs and longer delays: Reapplying for a visa means paying fees again and waiting weeks or even months for another appointment No middle ground: Legal appeals are costly and slow, often requiring a German lawyer and possibly taking up to two years for a decision Emotional toll: Students who earlier had some hope of correction through informal channels may now find the process too stressful or uncertain to attempt 'Without the informal appeal, rejected applicants now face two main options,' said Sanjog Anand, co-founder of Rostrum Education. 'One, reapply and pay the fees again. Two, file a formal judicial appeal, which is a far more difficult, costly, and time-consuming path. A case must be filed with the Berlin Administrative Court. For many Indian students, this choice is too expensive,' he said. Shekhawat added, 'The move also highlights the absolute necessity of filing a perfect first-time application. This requires careful preparation, detailed documentation, and expert advice.' She said the German government's reasoning is that scrapping the remonstration process will free up consular staff, allowing them to focus more efficiently on new applications. 'It promotes transparency and creates higher documentation status,' she said. Despite the tougher visa pathway, Shekhawat said services for German university admissions remain unaffected. 'Our focus has always been on getting things right the first time.' Anand noted, 'While initial processing might be faster, the absence of an informal appeal means that any rejection will lead to a complete restart of the application process or a lengthy legal battle, potentially causing significant delays in study plans.' Skilled workers may hesitate to appeal For professionals seeking to work in Germany, the impact is similar. 'The removal of the remonstration process is part of Germany's efforts to improve administrative efficiency, potentially leading to faster processing times for visa applications,' said Varun Singh, managing director at XIPHIAS Immigration. 'But on the downside, skilled workers facing visa denials will now have limited recourse, potentially affecting job opportunities and employer timelines. The formal appeal process may deter some applicants due to its complexity and expense,' Singh added. Tourists and business travellers also affected Visa rejections for short-term visitors will now be harder to contest. 'Streamlined visa processing could benefit travellers by reducing wait times for visa appointments and decisions,' said Singh. 'However, tourists and business travellers who experience visa rejections will no longer have a straightforward method to contest decisions, possibly impacting travel plans and incurring additional costs for reapplication or legal appeals.' Consular Services Portal and rejection data Germany introduced the Consular Services Portal in January 2025, offering step-by-step digital instructions for student, skilled worker, and family reunification visa applications. Early feedback from applicants suggests that the portal has helped reduce documentation errors. 'Dispensing with the remonstration procedure has released considerable staff capacity in visa sections,' said the German Missions. In 2024, Germany rejected 206,733 Schengen visa applications, with a rejection rate of 13.7%. Indian applicants have faced some of the longest delays, with appointment wait times stretching to nearly nine months. The German Missions say they now expect this to drop to just a few days. This change could benefit students applying close to term start dates or workers needing to relocate quickly for jobs.
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Business Standard
19-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
F-1 visa denied? Hacks Indian students need to crack the US student visa
Ruhi (name changed), from Rajkot, Gujarat, had an excellent student record, solid financial backing, and an admission offer from a well-ranked US university. Yet, her visa was rejected. But why? Her application was refused under Section 214(b) of the US Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), explained Pushkar Kumar, founder of Bluehawks EduAbrod. 'When a student receives an F-1 visa refusal, it's more than just a stamp of rejection—it's the shattering of a dream,' said Kumar. And that heartbreak is becoming more common. The F-1 visa rejection rate has increased by approximately 20 per cent in 2025, following an already steep 40 per cent in 2024. What is Section 214(b)? "Section 214(b) of the US Immigration and Nationality Act presumes every applicant for a non-immigrant visa to be an intending immigrant unless they can demonstrate otherwise," said Ketan Mukhija, senior partner at Burgeon Law. Applicants must prove strong ties to their home country and an intention to return after their temporary stay. F-1 visa refusals under this provision typically result from failure to convince the consular officer of non-immigrant intent, insufficient financial proof, weak ties to the home country, or inconsistencies during the interview. What might have gone wrong for Ruhi? According to Kumar, potential reasons for Ruhi's rejection include: > Applying to a university with a high concentration of applicants from her region > Giving generic answers during her interview > Failing to clearly link her academic plans to her future career 'This shows that even deserving students can be denied if they fail to stand out or show clarity of purpose,' Kumar added. Sanjog Anand, co-founder of Rostrum Education, said students must prove three key things during their visa process: 1. Strong ties to their home country—shown through residence, family connections, or property 2. Sufficient financial resources to fund their US stay 3. A clear academic purpose, supported by a valid I-20 form from the admitting university What can lead to F-1 visa rejection under 214(b)? Common reasons include: * Lack of evidence showing intent to return home * Unconvincing or unclear academic and career plans * Inadequate funds or weak documentation * Poor interview performance or conflicting responses Rejection rates rising More Indian students are feeling the heat. According to Kumar, the F-1 visa rejection rate for Indian applicants has climbed by about 20 per cent in 2025. The US denied 41 per cent of all F-1 visa applications in fiscal year 2023–24, the highest rate in a decade. Of the 6.79 lakh applications received, 2.79 lakh were refused, up from 36 per cent the year before. India sent over 3.31 lakh students to the US in 2023–24, but many are now facing growing hurdles in securing visas. Why are rejections happening more frequently? Students and experts point to several causes: * Applying to 'over-targeted' universities * Rehearsed, repetitive or vague responses * Too many students from the same city or region applying to the same institution * Poor articulation of goals or programme choice * Weak communication skills * Failing to distinguish themselves during interviews 'US consular officers are now more cautious with applicants heading to over-targeted universities. They scrutinise DS-160 forms and look for alignment with interview answers. Often, decisions are made quickly based on first impressions and communication quality,' said Kumar. How to avoid rejection To improve their chances, Anand advises students to: * Be clear about why they've chosen a specific course and university * Demonstrate financial readiness with proper documentation * Prove strong ties to home—through family, property, or job prospects * Be honest, well-prepared, and confident in their interview Preparing for success According to Anand, students should: * Research their course, university, and how it fits into long-term plans * Practise answers to typical visa interview questions * Keep all documents ready: I-20, bank statements, transcripts * Avoid over-preparation or rote answers—authenticity matters When to apply For the Fall intake (August), students should apply between August and December of their final school year. Preparation ideally starts 12–18 months in advance. Standardised tests like the SAT, ACT, TOEFL or IELTS, and university applications should be completed by December or January.
India Today
14-05-2025
- Business
- India Today
Borderline decisions: How India-Pak tensions are affecting study abroad dreams
It's not just soldiers at the border feeling the heat. Students thousands of kilometres away are caught in the middle too, watching the news with growing rising tensions between India and Pakistan have done more than spark political debates -- they've rattled the hopes of young Indians preparing for their next big move: studying consultants say they've been swamped with questions in the past week. And it's not about applications or entrance exams. It's about safety. Should they still go? What if airspace routes change? What if visa processes slow down?advertisementGaurav Batra, CEO of Infinite Group, put it plainly: 'The uncertainty and instability caused by geopolitical tensions are making students and parents rethink their study abroad plans.'Some are cautiously weighing their options. Others are now leaning towards countries seen as more stable, trying to avoid what feels like geopolitical advises students not to throw their dreams out the window just yet. 'Plan smartly, build financial buffers, and don't abandon long-term aspirations due to short-term disruptions,' Batra to him, while the impact may feel intense right now, it's likely temporary -- but it could definitely steer students towards destinations that feel safer in the long SAFETY MEETS STRATEGYYatharth Gulati, co-founder of Rostrum Education, echoes similar thoughts -- but adds that this shift has already been like these only magnify a trend that's been underway for a while: students moving beyond brand-name universities and focusing more on safety, affordability, and the promise of stability after graduation.'Canada, the UK, and the US still attract students, but rising concerns around visa uncertainties and post-study work opportunities are pushing many towards countries like Germany, Ireland, and the UAE,' he now want a full package. It's not just about academic rankings. Gulati says they're asking: will I be safe there? Will I get to work after graduation? Is there a path to settle down if I choose to stay? At Rostrum, the advice is clear: pick universities not just for their name, but for how well they align with your goals.'We suggest students balance reputation with real-world factors like cultural compatibility, living expenses, and long-term settlement prospects,' he TIME TO PANIC, SAY GLOBAL EXPERTSDespite the rising concerns, experts also urge people not to jump to conclusions. According to Piyush Kumar, Regional Director-South Asia, Canada and LATAM at IDP Education, there's little reason to believe that the India-Pakistan situation will throw international education off course -- at least not is important to note that there will be no impact of the current geopolitical tension on Indian students planning to study overseas,' Kumar there could be minor delays if things escalate -- maybe visa processing gets a little slower, or certain flights face added checks. But he's confident that the international education system is built to weather these storms.'In fact, if at all things go south, many parents would prefer their children to be abroad for safety purposes,' Kumar added. So while it's wise to stay informed, there's no need to spiral into panic-mode or pull out of plans ADVISORIES, AND COMMON SENSESaurabh Arora, founder and CEO of University Living, brings in a global perspective. He points out that even in war-affected zones like Ukraine or regions facing diplomatic friction like Israel-Iran, students have continued to travel and pursue education in Europe and elsewhere.'There's no need to worry unless you're specifically travelling between Pakistan and another country,' he explained. 'Authorities are well aware of the travel patterns -- if your plans don't involve that route, there's no major concern.' advertisementTravel continues, he says, and things are gradually returning to normal. According to him, tensions like this are nothing new -- and they only make it more important to engage in cultural exchange, not less. 'Through these interactions, we can build a more connected and peaceful world,' Arora being hopeful doesn't mean being careless. He advises students to follow travel advisories closely and adjust their plans LIES AHEADIn the short term, yes -- there's confusion, some nervousness, and a definite shift in preferences. Germany and Ireland are climbing the ranks for Indian students, especially those wanting safety and job opportunities. Even the UAE is getting more long-term, most experts agree that Indian students will continue to be welcome around the world. They bring academic strength and diverse perspectives -- two things the global education system values what's the bottom line? Students shouldn't make knee-jerk decisions. It's okay to pause, rethink, maybe even apply to an extra country just in case. But this is not the end of international education dreams. Far from just one more reminder that while politics may shift quickly, well-informed decisions -- especially about education -- need to be made with a calm head and a long InMust Watch
