It was just a few months ago an official report confirmed that India sent a record number of students to the US in 2024, more than any other country.
Over 420,000 Indian students brought in billions of dollars, keeping American universities and local economies alive. But when it comes to giving them a basic visa interview the system suddenly falls apart.
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Despite a directive to resume F-1 slot bookings with added social media vetting, students in India are staring at blank screens. Four business days later, nothing’s moved.
Juneteenth passed, consulates closed again mid-week, and now students are stuck in a blackout. Third-party sites hint at “phantom slots,” but the official portal says “No slots available.”
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And if that wasn’t enough, students report that if they visit the site too much they suddenly get blocked.
Some F-1 aspirants have programs beginning in under 60 days. They claim they can’t eat or sleep properly as their future hangs in the balance. Some might miss their semester while others have already given up and started looking for alternatives.
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The US crackdown has been the toughest for these innocent students. India, a country that has a long history of strong ties with America is finally giving up. The bridges are being burnt and dreams are crushed every day.
