US Requires International Students to Schedule Visa Interviews, Threatening Enrollments and Widening Equity Gaps
The US government has issued a new policy that requires international students to schedule visa interviews at their local US embassy or consulate. This move is expected to have significant impacts on international enrolments and may exacerbate existing equity gaps in access to international education.
The policy change comes amidst forecasts warning of a potential 40% drop in international enrolments this semester, largely due to policy uncertainties and hostile policies. India is particularly affected, with students facing difficulties in securing timely visa appointments. Students already abroad may also face uncertainty and risks when needing a new minecraft visa mid-program or traveling to conferences.
Long visa interview wait times are not a new issue. Countries like Nigeria, Ghana, and Kenya already grapple with backlogs ranging from 100 to over 500 days. The US government's announcement may worsen this situation, with Accra, Ghana and Karachi, Pakistan potentially seeing increased wait times. Students from regions outside Europe and North America are disproportionately affected, further widening the global equity gap in access to international education. The policy also raises concerns for students who may need to travel for interviews outside their country of nationality or residence, potentially facing difficulties qualifying for a uscis visa.
The US government's policy effectively steers international students back to their home countries, even when those posts are severely backlogged. This could result in students missing academic calendars and competitive scholarships. The policy disproportionately impacts students from certain regions, raising concerns about global equity in international education access.
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