US Embassy in India Warns Students About Visa Rules

The US Embassy in India has a clear message for students: follow the rules or risk losing your visa. This warning comes as the Trump administration increases its scrutiny of overseas students.

Key Visa Rules to Remember

The embassy recently shared important rules on social media:

• Stay enrolled in your program.
• Attend your classes regularly.
• Inform your school if you plan to leave your program.

Breaking these rules can lead to serious consequences. Your student visa may be revoked. You might also lose the chance to get future US visas.

Trump Administration’s Increased Scrutiny

This warning comes at a tense time. The Trump administration is in a dispute with Harvard University. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently revoked Harvard’s certification to admit foreign students for the 2025-26 academic year. Harvard sued the US administration, and a court blocked the order, providing temporary relief.

The Trump administration has also taken other actions:

• Stopped Federal grants worth over $2 billion to Harvard.
• Expressed plans to cancel remaining contracts.

Indian Students Studying in the US

Many Indian students are currently studying in the US. Here are some important numbers:

• 788 Indian students are at Harvard.
• Thousands more are enrolled in colleges across the country.
• The Open Doors Report shows that 331,602 Indian students studied in the US during the 2023-24 academic year. This is a 23% increase from the previous year.

Expert Tips for Students

Narayanan Ramaswamy, a partner at KPMG in India, offers some advice:

• Do not misuse your student visa to work.
• Follow the proper visa process for employment.

He also notes that this message comes at a time of increased scrutiny over government interference in US universities.

Parents’ Concerns

Many Indian parents are worried. They fear that political issues could affect their children’s future. As a result, other study destinations may become more popular.

More Scrutiny on International Students

The Trump administration has increased its scrutiny of international students. Suchindra Kumar, a partner at PwC, explains:

• Students should avoid campus politics.
• Stay away from any activity the government considers “illegal”.
• Do not join groups that work without the correct visa.

Global Changes in Visa Rules

The US is not alone in increasing scrutiny. Other countries have also tightened their rules:

• Australia: In 2023, Australia stopped allowing international students to enroll in affordable vocational courses immediately upon arrival.
• UK: The UK made it tougher for international students to bring in dependents.
• Canada: In 2024, Canada also tightened its visa rules.

Indian Students Studying Abroad

According to data from the Indian government:

• 750,000 Indians studied abroad in 2022.
• This number increased to 892,000 in 2023.
• In 2024, the number dipped to 759,000 due to geopolitical crises and visa curbs.