Hyderabad: Many Hyderabad college students are reconsidering their plan to review in america as a result of uncertainty surrounding US journey restrictions, visa appointments, and processing delays.
They’re now exploring different international locations in Europe and southern Pacific Ocean international locations.
US visa curbs push Hyderabad college students to different international locations
Among the many alternate locations for finding out overseas, Germany, France, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Finland and Eire are on the high of the listing for the scholars.
Talking to Siasat.com, one of many Hyderabad college students, Mohammed Ibrahim Akram Khan, who resides close to 7 Tombs and is finding out within the ultimate 12 months of Bachelor of Laptop Functions (BCA), stated that though he had deliberate to review within the US, visa uncertainty had made him rethink his plans.
One other pupil, Shirin, stated that though the US is her first selection, attributable to journey restrictions and visa-related uncertainty, the planning is changing into troublesome. She is now contemplating Australia, New Zealand and Canada.
Syed Fawaz stated visa delays might have an effect on a complete research plan even after receiving admission from a US college. He’s now taking a look at Germany and Finland as options.
Sana, a final-year commencement pupil, stated that many in Hyderabad are displaying curiosity in France, Germany and Eire as an alternative of the US attributable to visa points.
Syed Ahmed, who’s in search of admission in commencement, stated the US stays engaging however college students additionally want to contemplate sensible points equivalent to journey restrictions, visa appointment availability and processing delays.
Decline in US worldwide pupil enrolment predicted
A preliminary evaluation by “NAFSA: Association of International Educators and JB International” has projected a decline in worldwide pupil enrollment at US faculties and universities for Fall 2026.
The evaluation estimates that the US might have 111,000 fewer worldwide college students in Fall 2026. This might lead to as much as USD 3.4 billion in misplaced financial contributions and almost 40,000 fewer jobs.
In accordance with the evaluation, graduate-level enrollment declines are anticipated to be the primary driver of the financial losses notably at establishments with giant worldwide pupil populations.
The projected job influence represents roughly a 9 p.c discount from the Fall 2025 baseline.
Current knowledge from the Association of American Universities Data Exchange confirmed that worldwide functions to US doctoral programmes for Fall 2026 declined by 21 p.c.
Knowledge from the Common App additionally confirmed a 9 p.c decline in worldwide submissions for the 2026-27 cycle. Submissions from India fell by 14 p.c, whereas Ghana recorded a 34 p.c decline and Nigeria a 17 p.c decline.
Visa restrictions add to uncertainty
The visa restrictions are additional affecting the worldwide college students planning to journey to the US.
A December 16, 2025 government order launched restrictions protecting 39 international locations. There are not any exceptions for F pupil or J alternate customer candidates.
Iran and Nigeria are among the many international locations coated by the restrictions and are additionally main sources of worldwide college students for US establishments.
The US State Division additionally introduced precedence visa processing for FIFA World Cup 2026 ticket holders travelling to the nation. The event’s ultimate was held on July 19, throughout the conventional Could-to-August peak interval for pupil and alternate customer visas.
There have additionally been studies of restricted or delayed appointments for worldwide college students at US consulates in India, China and throughout Europe.
With visa appointments and processing changing into an vital a part of college students’ study-abroad selections, some Hyderabad college students at the moment are holding a number of international locations of their plans as an alternative of relying solely on the US.
