US Ends Third-Country Visa Option, Indian Students Face Tougher Process At Home

New York: Indian students applying for U.S. visas are set to face fresh hurdles as the United States has shut down the option of applying from a third country, forcing all applicants to file only from their country of citizenship or residence. The move, which ends a practice widely used by Indian students to avoid long backlogs, is expected to significantly slow down processing and make interview appointments harder to secure.

Earlier, many students turned to embassies and consulates in countries such as Thailand, Vietnam, or Germany to bypass delays in India. With that route now closed, pressure on U.S. consulates in India will increase further. Adding to the challenge, interview waivers that were in place for certain categories have been rolled back, meaning a larger pool of applicants will now be required to appear in person.

Officials are also considering capping the duration of student visas, a step that could add further uncertainty for those planning higher education abroad. The removal of flexibility is likely to create serious disruption for students already struggling to meet academic timelines and financial deadlines.

Experts warn that visa backlogs could now stretch to several months, and with more rigorous scrutiny expected, students may face tighter documentation requirements and tougher interviews. For many, the U.S. remains the most sought-after study destination, but the changes are set to increase both waiting periods and stress for thousands of aspiring Indian applicants.