Record number of Indian students to fulfil their American dream

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Despite the raging Covid-19 pandemic, Indian students who aspired to study in the United States have managed to realise their dreams. The US this year has issued over 55,000 student visas for Indian students, its highest ever, the Embassy said in a statement.

This comes at a time when international travel has been disrupted and a section of Indian students planning to go abroad for studies are facing issues over their vaccination.

“The United States Mission in India is pleased to announce that its Embassy and Consulates approved more student visa applicants in 2021 than ever before, despite the global Covid-19 pandemic. Through these efforts, more than 55,000 students and exchange visitors are boarding planes to study in the United States, and more students are being approved every day,” said the US Embassy.

Indian students studying in the USA

While acknowledging this, Ambassador Atul Keshap, Chargé d’Affaires at the US Embassy in New Delhi said that pursuing academics in the USA is a unique and sometimes a life-changing experience for Indian students, who gain fresh and global perspectives along with invaluable career opportunities. He added that Indian students enrich the American society with their academic success and deepen the bond of friendship between the two countries.

Owing to the Covid-19 pandemic, the consular teams faced many logistical challenges. Interviews for fall semester students which commence by May were pushed until July due to the second wave of the pandemic. Things picked up pace in July after visa services resumed. The embassy extended its operational hours for visa appointments and this led to so many new students getting their visas.

Delays and uncertainties

As per media reports, students in several other countries are struggling to secure their visas while their classes have already commenced. This delay in visa processing at US Embassies and Consulates was due to the reduced workforce owing to the pandemic and subsequent restrictions. Due to this, a section of students were not able to make it to the campus on time at the beginning of the academic year.

In fall 2020, the new international student enrolment in the US declined by 43%, just months after lockdowns were imposed across the globe due to the Covid-19 pandemic, according to a report in the Mint. The number of new students who successfully made it to the campus plummeted by 72%, the report mentioned, quoting the findings of a survey by the Institute of International Education (IIE).