Warning to student visa applicants in India from the U.S. embassy: 'If you're planning on applying, beware...'
The United States Embassy in India has issued a fresh warning to Indian students and visa applicants in various categories, including H, L, F, M, J, E, and O. This warning comes with stricter rules effective from September 1, 2025, and emphasises the importance of adhering to US laws to avoid serious consequences.
From October 1, 2025, a Visa Integrity Fee of $250 will be introduced for most non-immigrant visa applications. Additionally, starting September 1, 2025, all applicants in these categories will be required to attend a personal interview at a US embassy or consulate. This rule removes most interview waivers except for very limited cases for B visas, making personal interviews generally mandatory.
The US Embassy has also stated that a US visa is a privilege, not a right. Violating laws or getting arrested could result in visa revocation, deportation, and ineligibility for future US visas. The embassy warns that remaining in the United States beyond an authorized period of stay could lead to deportation and a permanent ban on future travel, as previously warned.
To help fund additional security screenings, enhance the visa process's integrity, and offset administrative costs, a fee of ₹1,200 per applicant will be charged for passport delivery to home or office. However, third-party passport collection is no longer allowed at US visa application centres for applicants aged 18 and above, starting August 1, 2023.
For minors, a parent or guardian can collect the passport on behalf of the child, but they must have a letter of authority signed by both parents. Age exemptions for in-person interviews have been removed, meaning both children under 14 and adults over 79 must now attend interviews.
The specific rules for the visa application process for Indians have not been detailed in this warning. However, the embassy did reiterate that a US visa is a privilege, not a right, and urged all applicants to respect and abide by US laws to ensure a smooth and successful visit to the United States. The latest warning was issued on August 30, 2025.
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