New Delhi: The US Embassy in India, on Wednesday, issued a stern warning to Indian students studying in that country, cautioning them against any violations that could lead to deportations.
An US visa is a “privilege and not a right”, the US mission said, warning that breaking the law during their stay may result in serious consequences, as reported by India Today.
“Breaking US laws can have serious consequences for your student visa. If you are arrested or violate any laws, your visa may be revoked, you may be deported, and you could be ineligible for future US visas. Follow the rules and don’t jeopardize your travel. A US visa is a privilege, not a right,” the US Embassy posted on X.
This comes months after the US updated its student visa process. This included higher fees, mandatory social media checks, and a proposed time limit on student stays.
These changes are likely to directly impact Indian students planning to study in America.
At the centre of the changes was the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’, signed by US president Donald Trump on July 4, 2025.
This bill introduced a “Visa Integrity Fee” of USD 250 (Rs 21,463) and a mandatory charge of USD 24 (Rs 2,060) for Form I-94, a key document that tracks the movement of foreign nationals.
Trump had also signed a proclamation imposing a new annual USD 100,000 application fee for H-1B visas, a move that will disproportionately impact Indian nationals who make up the majority of beneficiaries.
These charges are not optional, and they apply to all applicants under F (academic), M (vocational), and J (exchange) visas, the core categories for international education.
Despite the set in of these tougher US visa norms, the Open Doors Report 2025 revealed an unexpected shift in international education trends.
While new international enrolments in US colleges and universities declined by 17 percent this fall, the number of Indian students rose by 10 percent in the 2024-25 academic year, thereby reinforcing the country’s position as the largest source of international students in the US.
Experts attribute this to the continued global appeal of American higher education and the strong commitment of Indian students and families to long-term academic and career prospects, it has been reported.
