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USA Student Visa
The USA remains the top choice for students planning to study abroad. If you are among the few who aspire and have already been admitted into their aspired university, applying for a Student Visa for the USA is the next important step to realising your education abroad. Learn about the requirements for a USA student visa, the different types of US student visas, and how to apply for a US study visa.
According to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), 337,630 students were enrolled in 2024, compared to 268,923 students enrolled in higher education in 2023. The number of Indian students in the US increased by 34% in 2024. Is it easy to obtain a student visa for the USA? One major query arises among international students, and the answer to this question is that it’s not difficult to obtain a student visa to study in the US, especially for Indian students, provided their paperwork and applications are complete and they excel in their interviews.
Student visas for the USA from India include three broad types: one for studying at the university level, the second is the exchange level program visa, and the third is for vocational education, specifically F, J, and M student visas in the US, respectively. The timeline for application assessment for each of these student visas varies.
Latest Updates on US Student Visa 2025
Check out the latest updates and timeline for US student visa applicants in the section below:
Latest Updates | Details of the New Developments | Announcement Dates |
|---|---|---|
No More Alterations in Course/University for First Years | The US has tightened F-1 visa rules for Indian students, restricting them from changing courses or universities within the first year. | August 30, 2025 |
Official Rules Released for Social Media Screening | While applicants are registering in numbers, here is what they should know about the Latest Social Media Screening Process for US Student Visa Interviews. | June 19, 2025 |
US Student Visa Interview Resumes | Official instruction to resume student visa processing at all posts abroad. Scrutiny to include any indications of hostility towards the citizens, culture, government, institutions, or founding principles of the United States. | June 18, 2025 |
Scrutiny Tightened for Chinese Students | Heightened scrutiny for students from certain countries (like China) and targeting and Harvard University | Early June 2025 (still ongoing) |
Travel and Student Visas Banned for Six Countries | A travel ban has been introduced for nationals of six countries, restricting entry for new student visa applicants from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela. | Early June 2025 |
Social Media Vetting to be Introduced for Scrutiny | Announcement of expanded social media and online vetting for all student visa applicants | May 27, 2025 |
US Student Visa Interviews Halted | Global suspension of new student visa appointments (F, M, J visas). Check How Temporary US Student Visa Interview Freeze Affecting Indian Students? | May 27, 2025 |
SEVIS Termination for 4,700 Students | 4,763 student visas have been revoked under SEVIS termination in Jan 2025 for not meeting certain requirements. If you are also one of those, check out How to Fight Back & Keep Studying in USA After SEVIS Termination? | January 2025 |
