A wave of panic has gripped thousands of Indian students,
particularly from Gujarat’s Ahmedabad, as US student visa interview slots have
suddenly vanished from the online system. With the Fall 2025 academic season's
deadlines fast approaching, the lack of available slots has left many aspirants
in limbo, sparking frustration and uncertainty among students and their
families.
According to a report by The Times of India, the
problem began in mid-March when students attempting to book their US visa
interview appointments noticed that all available slots had disappeared. April
interview dates were reportedly filled early, but since then, no new dates for
May or beyond have been released, triggering confusion among applicants.
The disruption is especially worrying as hundreds of
students are now attempting daily to book their appointments, only to find none
available. “We keep checking the portal again and again, but it just shows no
slots available. This is the most stressful time for us,” said Ritesh Patel, an
engineering graduate from Ahmedabad who has received admission to a US
university for Fall 2025.
This situation is in sharp contrast to the January 2025
intake, when the visa process was relatively smooth. Most students were able to
secure appointments without any major obstacles. The current silence from the
US Embassy has only deepened concerns as students face looming university
deadlines and payment schedules.
Experts believe the root cause may lie in recent system
upgrades made by the US Embassy to prevent the misuse of visa appointment
slots. Reports suggest that in recent months, some applicants may have used
bots or third-party agencies to unfairly book early slots, prompting the
embassy to introduce safeguards. Unfortunately, these new measures may have had
unintended consequences, leading to the complete halt of regular slot
availability.
“There have been technical upgrades to ensure only genuine
applicants can book appointments,” said a visa consultant based in Ahmedabad.
“But now it seems the release of new slots has also been paused. Even we, who
are usually in direct contact with the embassy’s coordination officials, have
not received any official explanation.”
For students and their families, this delay is not just
emotionally draining but also financially stressful. Many have already paid
tuition fees to US universities, booked flight tickets, and secured housing in
the US. “I’ve already paid ₹8 lakh to the university. If I can’t attend the
visa interview on time, I may have to defer my admission. It’s heartbreaking,”
said Ananya Shah, an MBA aspirant from Vadodara.
Some students are now seriously considering deferring their
admission to the Spring 2026 intake. Education consultants are urging
applicants to remain calm but agree that a clear communication from the US
Embassy is urgently needed.
“The longer this uncertainty continues, the more students
will be forced to change their plans,” said a consultant from a major overseas
education firm. “We’re all waiting for an official clarification. Students
deserve to know what’s happening.”
As the situation unfolds, pressure is mounting on US
authorities to provide an update. The hope remains that the technical issues
will soon be resolved and that new visa slots will be released in time for
students to begin their academic journey in Fall 2025.
Until then, students and their families continue to wait
anxiously, checking portals and reaching out to consultants—hoping for a
breakthrough that will allow them to pursue their American dream.