Key Takeaways
• In 2025, Hyderabad students face tougher F-1 visa interviews with technical questions and higher rejection rates.
• F-1 visa rejection rate hit 41% in 2023-24, over 50% for Telangana and Andhra Pradesh applicants.
• Rejections mainly under Section 214(b) requiring proof of intent to return to India after studies.
Indian Students from Hyderabad Face Tougher US Visa Interviews and Record Rejections in 2025
Indian students, especially those from Hyderabad and the states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, are facing a new wave of challenges when applying for US student visas in 2025. Recent months have seen a sharp rise in rejection rates, new types of technical questions during interviews, and growing uncertainty about the future of studying in the United States 🇺🇸. This situation is causing anxiety among students and their families, changing educational plans, and raising questions about the future of Indian-US academic ties.
What’s Happening: The New Reality for Hyderabad Students
In May and June 2025, several Hyderabad students reported facing unusually tough technical questions during their US Visa Interviews for the F-1 visa. The F-1 visa is the main type of visa for international students who want to study full-time at a US college or university. Traditionally, these interviews focused on a student’s academic background, financial ability, and plans to return home after studying. However, recent cases show a shift.
One student described his experience at the US Consulate in Hyderabad: after answering standard questions, the visa officer began asking detailed technical questions about data structures, machine learning, and the differences between arrays and linked lists. Even though the student answered all questions, his visa was denied under Section 214(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. This section is used when the officer is not convinced the applicant will return home after studying.
Just days later, another Hyderabad student faced a similar situation—tough technical questions followed by a quick rejection. These stories have spread quickly in student and immigration communities, especially on platforms like Reddit, where many are now worried about this new approach.
Why Are US Visa Interviews Getting Tougher?
Several factors are driving these changes:
- Stricter Scrutiny: US visa officers are now checking applications more closely. Even small mistakes or differences in documents can lead to rejection. In the past, minor errors were often overlooked if the main documents were in order.
- Concerns About Overstays: In 2023, over 7,000 Indian students stayed in the US after their visas expired. Many could not find jobs and lost their legal status. The US government is now trying to prevent this by being more careful about who gets a visa.
- Political Pressures: 2025 is an election year in the United States 🇺🇸. During such times, immigration policies often become stricter. There is also growing concern in the US about visa abuse and job competition, which affects how student visas are handled.
- New Vetting Procedures: The US State Department has temporarily stopped scheduling new student visa interviews as it prepares to expand background checks, including looking at applicants’ social media activity. This adds another layer of uncertainty for students.
Record-High Rejection Rates: The Numbers
The rejection rate for US F-1 student visas has reached its highest point in ten years. In the 2023-24 fiscal year, 41% of F-1 visa applications were denied. Out of 679,000 applications, about 279,000 were rejected, and only 401,000 were approved. This is a drop from 445,000 approvals the year before.
For Indian students, the numbers are even more troubling. From January to September 2024, only 63,973 visas were issued to Indian students, compared to 103,000 during the same period in 2023. This is a huge drop, especially since Indian students recently became the largest group of international students in the US, overtaking Chinese students.
Students from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh are facing the toughest situation. In these two states, more than 50% of student visa applications are now being rejected—the highest rate in twenty years. These states have always sent large numbers of students to the US, so the impact is especially strong.
How Are Students Affected?
1. Changing Study Plans
Because of the high rejection rates and tough interviews, many Hyderabad students are now looking at other countries for their studies. The UK, Germany, Canada 🇨🇦, and Australia are becoming more popular. Within the UK, students are even choosing places like Wales and Scotland over London, hoping for better visa chances and lower costs.
2. Facing Multiple Rejections
Some students with strong academic records and good financial support are being rejected more than once. Interviews are often very short—sometimes just five minutes—with no clear reason given for the denial. This leaves students feeling confused and helpless.
3. Mental Health Impact
The stress and uncertainty are taking a toll on students’ mental health. One BTech student, who was about to graduate, said, “It feels like international students are being discouraged from applying. I was excited about studying abroad, but now, my enthusiasm has faded.” Many students share this feeling, and families are worried about their children’s futures.
4. Economic and Social Effects
This trend affects not just individual students but also the relationship between India and the United States 🇺🇸. International students bring about $40 billion to the US economy each year, with Indian students making up a big part of that. If fewer Indian students go to the US, both countries could lose out—India loses opportunities for its youth, and the US loses talented students and economic benefits.
What Do US Officials Say?
The US Consulate has said that its main goal is to protect national security and public safety through the visa process. In a recent statement, officials noted the growth in Indian student numbers and said, “India is now the number one sender of international students to the United States.” However, they have not given specific reasons for the higher rejection rates, only saying that they are following the Immigration and Nationality Act.
Officials have also mentioned that changes in how they collect and report data since 2019 make it harder to compare current numbers with past years.
Understanding Section 214(b) and What It Means
Most recent rejections, including those involving technical questions, are based on Section 214(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. This section says that every visa applicant is assumed to be an immigrant unless they can prove otherwise. For students, this means they must show strong reasons to return home after their studies—such as family ties, property, or a job offer.
A 214(b) rejection is not permanent. Students can apply again, but they need to provide stronger evidence that they will return to India after studying. This could include:
- Property documents or proof of family ties in India
- Letters showing job opportunities in India after graduation
- Clear explanations of academic and career goals
- Strong financial documents
For more information about Section 214(b) and visa refusals, students can visit the US Department of State’s official visa refusal page.
Why Are Technical Questions Being Asked?
The recent cases in Hyderabad, where students were asked technical questions about their field of study, are unusual. Normally, visa officers focus on whether the student is a genuine applicant, has enough money, and plans to return home. However, some officers are now testing students’ technical knowledge, possibly to check if they are truly interested in their chosen field or if they are using the student visa as a way to enter the US for other reasons.
This new approach has caused confusion and concern. Many students feel unprepared for such questions, especially since they are not part of the official visa requirements. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, this trend may be linked to efforts to prevent visa abuse and overstays, but it also risks unfairly rejecting genuine students.
What Should Students Do Now?
Given the current situation, students from Hyderabad and other parts of India who want to study in the United States 🇺🇸 should take extra care when preparing for their US Visa Interviews. Here are some practical steps:
1. Prepare for Technical Questions
- Be ready to answer basic questions about your chosen field of study, such as key concepts or recent projects.
- Review your academic background and be able to explain why you chose your course and university.
2. Double-Check All Documents
- Make sure all personal details, academic records, and financial documents are accurate and match each other.
- Even small mistakes can lead to rejection.
3. Show Strong Ties to India
- Bring documents that prove you have reasons to return home, such as family connections, property, or a job offer.
- Be ready to explain your future plans in India after your studies.
4. Consider Other Countries
- If you face repeated rejections, look at other countries with more student-friendly visa policies, such as Canada 🇨🇦, the UK, Germany, or Australia.
- Research the visa process and job opportunities in these countries.
5. Get Professional Help
- Talk to experienced study abroad consultants who know the latest visa rules and can help you prepare.
- Join online forums or groups where other students share their experiences and advice.
What’s Next? The Road Ahead for Hyderabad Students
The US State Department’s decision to temporarily stop new student visa interviews while expanding background checks means that the situation may remain uncertain for some time. Policies could change again depending on political events, US-India relations, and immigration priorities.
For now, students should stay informed, prepare carefully, and keep their options open. The dream of studying in the United States 🇺🇸 is still possible, but it requires more planning and patience than before.
Key Takeaways for Students and Families
- US Visa Interviews for Hyderabad Students are now tougher, with technical questions and higher rejection rates.
- F-1 visa rejection rates have reached 41%, with even higher rates for students from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
- Most rejections are under Section 214(b), which means the officer was not convinced the student would return home.
- Students should prepare for technical questions, double-check all documents, and show strong ties to India.
- Consider other countries if US options become too difficult, and seek professional guidance when needed.
For official updates on US student visas and the F-1 visa process, students can visit the US Department of State’s Student Visa page.
As the landscape continues to change, staying informed and prepared is the best way for Hyderabad students to keep their educational dreams alive.
Learn Today
F-1 visa → A US non-immigrant visa allowing full-time international students to study at US educational institutions.
Section 214(b) → Immigration law section presuming visa applicants intend to immigrate unless proven they will return home.
Overstay → Remaining in the US beyond the authorized visa period, leading to legal consequences.
Technical questions → Detailed queries about a student’s academic field asked during some US visa interviews.
Rejection rate → Percentage of visa applications denied by consulates within a certain period.
This Article in a Nutshell
Hyderabad students face unprecedented challenges in 2025 with strict US F-1 visa interviews featuring technical questions and record rejection rates, causing anxiety and shifting study destinations away from the US.
— By VisaVerge.com
