<p>Bengaluru: The US President Donald Trump administration's decision to pause new student visa interviews has caused some panic among students and counsellors. Many students are reportedly reconsidering their decision to study in the US.</p>.<p>Speaking on condition of anonymity, a Bengaluru student who is applying for colleges for the Fall 2025 intake, said this decision had affected her. </p>.Using every tool to vet anyone coming in, says US amid reports Trump administration halting new student visa interviews scheduling.<p>"I had a refusal in December. I had to make it to Spring 2025. Post-refusal, I haven't seen any visa slots since January. This decision has affected a lot of refusals, since this was the peak time for us to get slots,” she said.</p>.<p>Students who have already booked an interview slot won't be affected. One such student who is planning to move to New York said he was not sure if something would change in the interview process. </p>.<p>Uma Aswani, education counsellor and columnist from the city, said she had now advised families to consider options in other countries.</p>.<p>"All my students with Ivy League offers want to shift to the UK. Initially, I told them not to worry, but in the light of Trump's irrational decision, I am considering sending these students to the UK. Even though universities are telling us not to worry and that they want international students to come, parents and students don't want to take a chance," she said.</p>.<p>At least 50% of students with offers, after her counselling, are looking at other destinations.</p>.<p>"Luckily, admissions to colleges in the UK, New Zealand, Australia and other countries are still open, so students are looking at their second or third choices there," she added.</p>.<p>Shiva Krishna, overseas education consultant and director, Career Gyan, believes that this would only have a short-term impact on students.</p>.<p>"If the US lets go of Indian students, they will lose more than USD 30 billion annually. My advice to students is for them to rethink their decision to study in the US and instead, explore options in other countries that are more economical. Many people contacted me and this is what I have advised them too,” he said. </p>
<p>Bengaluru: The US President Donald Trump administration's decision to pause new student visa interviews has caused some panic among students and counsellors. Many students are reportedly reconsidering their decision to study in the US.</p>.<p>Speaking on condition of anonymity, a Bengaluru student who is applying for colleges for the Fall 2025 intake, said this decision had affected her. </p>.Using every tool to vet anyone coming in, says US amid reports Trump administration halting new student visa interviews scheduling.<p>"I had a refusal in December. I had to make it to Spring 2025. Post-refusal, I haven't seen any visa slots since January. This decision has affected a lot of refusals, since this was the peak time for us to get slots,” she said.</p>.<p>Students who have already booked an interview slot won't be affected. One such student who is planning to move to New York said he was not sure if something would change in the interview process. </p>.<p>Uma Aswani, education counsellor and columnist from the city, said she had now advised families to consider options in other countries.</p>.<p>"All my students with Ivy League offers want to shift to the UK. Initially, I told them not to worry, but in the light of Trump's irrational decision, I am considering sending these students to the UK. Even though universities are telling us not to worry and that they want international students to come, parents and students don't want to take a chance," she said.</p>.<p>At least 50% of students with offers, after her counselling, are looking at other destinations.</p>.<p>"Luckily, admissions to colleges in the UK, New Zealand, Australia and other countries are still open, so students are looking at their second or third choices there," she added.</p>.<p>Shiva Krishna, overseas education consultant and director, Career Gyan, believes that this would only have a short-term impact on students.</p>.<p>"If the US lets go of Indian students, they will lose more than USD 30 billion annually. My advice to students is for them to rethink their decision to study in the US and instead, explore options in other countries that are more economical. Many people contacted me and this is what I have advised them too,” he said. </p>