For thousands of students in Ahmedabad preparing to begin their higher education in the United States this fall, the journey has taken an unexpected and stressful turn. In the past three weeks, visa interview appointments for student visas have abruptly vanished from the system, leaving students and visa consultants in a state of confusion and concern.
Unlike the January 2025 intake, which progressed relatively smoothly, students aiming for the Fall 2025 semester are now facing a complete halt in scheduling. Local consultants report that visa slots, once readily available until early March, are no longer showing up at all.
Students who secured appointments in February or early March were allotted interview dates in April. But now, as May approaches, no new dates have been made available. Many of these students already hold admission offers and have received their I-20 forms, but without interviews, their plans are at risk. The silence around the scheduling blackout is adding to their anxiety.
The disruption appears to have begun around March 10. Since then, visa consultants have been monitoring the appointment portal daily, only to find no new slots. With the fall semester drawing closer, the fear is growing that many students may miss their chance to start their programs on time.
Some immigration experts believe the issue may be tied to recent efforts by the U.S. embassy to curb misuse of the visa appointment system. System upgrades aimed at blocking illegal booking practices may be contributing to the blackout. However, without an official explanation, the uncertainty persists.
Another layer of stress comes from broader concerns about changing U.S. immigration policies under the new administration. Last year saw a spike in visa refusals, despite the availability of appointments. This year, students are caught in a situation where both visa slots and policy clarity are in short supply.
As travel timelines tighten and the academic year approaches, students and their families are seeking urgent answers. Visa consultants across the city are calling for the U.S. embassy to provide clear communication and restore appointment availability, so that plans already in motion can move forward without further disruption.
