Visa Delays Threaten 7,000 Indian Students Enrolled in NC Universities

As of July 27, 2025, about 7,000 Indian students hoping to attend North Carolina universities face serious problems because of severe student visa delays, appointment freezes, and a sharp rise in rejections at U.S. consulates in India. These issues threaten not only students’ academic dreams but also the financial and cultural health of North Carolina universities, with the Fall 2025 semester just weeks away.

Thousands of Indian students are stuck in limbo as U.S. consulates in India have frozen most student visa appointment slots since late spring. Many students who managed to book appointments have not received confirmations, while thousands more cannot even schedule interviews. Education consultants in India estimate a 70–80% drop in Indian student arrivals to U.S. universities for Fall 2025 compared to last year. If this trend continues, North Carolina universities, which usually enroll around 7,000 Indian students, may see only 1,400–2,100 new arrivals this fall.

Visa Appointment Crisis and Rejection Rates

The current crisis began when U.S. consulates in India started freezing student visa appointment slots, with only rare and unconfirmed openings. Even students who secured appointments often find them canceled or left unconfirmed. The U.S. Embassy in India has warned that timely appointments cannot be guaranteed, and as of May 2025, there was a 41% year-over-year increase in pending visa applications. The backlog has only grown worse into July.

At the same time, visa rejection rates have soared, especially under Section 214(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. This rule requires student visa applicants to prove they have strong ties to India and plan to return after their studies. Even students with strong academic records and financial support are being rejected at rates not seen in years. Many receive denials or are placed in prolonged administrative processing under Section 221(g), which can take weeks or months to resolve.

Impact on North Carolina Universities and Students

The impact on North Carolina universities is immediate and severe. Indian students are a vital part of the student body at schools like NC State, UNC Chapel Hill, and Duke. They bring diversity, contribute to campus life, and provide significant tuition revenue. University officials have expressed deep concern about the lack of communication from federal agencies and the uncertainty facing their international student communities.

North Carolina State University and other institutions are working hard to support affected students. They are offering legal advice, counseling, and help with remote learning options for those unable to arrive on time. However, the administrative burden is growing, and universities fear long-term damage to their reputation and finances if the crisis continues.

For Indian students, the situation is even more stressful. Many are unable to secure visa appointments or face last-minute rejections, forcing them to defer or withdraw from U.S. programs. Some students have tried to apply for emergency appointments, which are available only if their program starts within 60 days, but these slots are extremely limited and not guaranteed. Education consultants in India report widespread panic among students and parents, with many now considering alternative destinations such as Germany and Canada 🇨🇦 due to the uncertainty in the United States 🇺🇸.

Official Warnings and Congressional Action

The U.S. Embassy in India has publicly stated that it cannot guarantee timely visa appointments. As the backlog grows, members of the U.S. Congress have stepped in. On July 26, 2025, several lawmakers formally urged Secretary of State Marco Rubio to address the crisis. They warned that the situation could harm the United States 🇺🇸 as a top destination for international talent and damage both economic and academic interests.

Despite these calls, there have been no major policy changes or emergency measures from the U.S. State Department as of late July 2025. The current administration has instead increased scrutiny of student visa applications, especially around the requirement to prove non-immigrant intent. This has led to more rigorous interviews and higher rejection rates.

Step-by-Step Visa Process for Indian Students (2025)

The current process for Indian students seeking to study at North Carolina universities involves several steps:

1. Obtain Form I-20 from the U.S. university. This form proves acceptance and is required for the visa application. Students can find more information about the I-20 on the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement website.
2. Pay the SEVIS fee, which supports the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System.
3. Complete the DS-160 visa application. The DS-160 is the official online application for a U.S. nonimmigrant visa. Students must fill this out and submit it electronically. The official DS-160 form is available here.
4. Book a visa appointment through the U.S. Travel Docs portal. As of July 2025, appointment slots are mostly unavailable, so students must check the portal often and may apply for emergency appointments if their program starts within 60 days. The portal can be accessed at https://www.ustraveldocs.com/in/.
5. Attend the visa interview at the U.S. Consulate. Students should be ready for increased scrutiny, especially about their intent to return to India after their studies.
6. Wait for visa issuance or denial. Many students are now receiving denials or being placed in administrative processing, which can delay or prevent their travel.

Practical Tips for Students

• Keep all documentation showing your program start date and university acceptance.
• Do not use unauthorized agents or bots to book appointments, as this can lead to problems or bans.
• Contact your university’s international office for support with legal or counseling needs.
• Apply for emergency appointments only if your program starts within 60 days, and be prepared for limited availability.

Background and Historical Context

India became the largest source of international students in the United States 🇺🇸 in 2024, surpassing China. Over 420,000 Indian students now study in the U.S., contributing more than $8 billion each year to the U.S. economy. North Carolina universities have long welcomed large numbers of Indian students, with about 7,000 currently enrolled across the state.

While visa delays and backlogs have happened before, the scale of the 2025 crisis is unprecedented. Education consultants and university officials describe it as the “worst in years,” with both students and schools facing serious consequences.

Multiple Perspectives and Implications

• Students and Families: Many are experiencing anxiety, financial loss, and uncertainty about their academic futures. Some families have invested large sums in tuition and travel, only to face last-minute visa denials.
• Universities: Schools risk losing tuition revenue, campus diversity, and their global reputation if Indian students cannot arrive. They are also spending more resources to support affected students.
• U.S. Lawmakers: Members of Congress are urging quick action to protect the country’s position as a leader in higher education.
• Indian Consultants: Many are now advising students to consider other countries, warning that 2025 could be a “lost year” for those hoping to study in the United States 🇺🇸.

Future Outlook and Solutions

If visa appointment slots do not open soon, thousands of Indian students will miss the chance to join North Carolina universities for Fall 2025. Universities are preparing for major enrollment shortfalls and are lobbying federal authorities for urgent help. Congressional pressure may lead to emergency measures or more appointment slots, but as of July 27, 2025, no official changes have been announced.

Experts warn that if the United States 🇺🇸 does not fix the visa backlog, it could lose its top spot as the preferred destination for Indian students. This could hurt research, innovation, and the economy. There are growing calls for more transparency, more appointment slots, and faster processing for genuine students.

Official Resources

Students and universities can find the latest updates and official information at the U.S. Embassy & Consulates in India. For help with university-specific questions, contact your school’s international office or legal services.

As reported by VisaVerge.com, the ongoing student visa delays are causing a dramatic drop in Indian student enrollment at North Carolina universities, with no immediate solution in sight. The situation remains fluid, and quick action from federal authorities could still change the outcome for thousands of students and the universities that depend on them.

For now, Indian students, their families, and North Carolina universities must prepare for continued uncertainty, while hoping for a breakthrough that will allow students to pursue their dreams in the United States 🇺🇸.

Learn Today

Student Visa → A travel document allowing students to study legally in a foreign country for a limited time.
Form I-20 → An official U.S. document certifying acceptance into a school, required for applying for a student visa.
Section 214(b) → Part of U.S. immigration law requiring visa applicants to prove non-immigrant intent and strong ties to their home country.
Administrative Processing → Additional review of visa applications under Section 221(g), causing delays in visa issuance.
SEVIS Fee → A charge paid by students to support the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System for tracking visa holders.

This Article in a Nutshell

Severe student visa delays and high rejection rates jeopardize 7,000 Indian students’ plans at North Carolina universities. Frozen appointments and administrative backlogs threaten enrollment, finances, and diversity. Despite congressional calls for urgent action, U.S. consulates remain overwhelmed, forcing students to consider alternatives for Fall 2025 and causing widespread uncertainty.
— By VisaVerge.com