Why is moving to the US getting harder?

Tough news for immigrants looking to move to the US. 

The Trump administration has decided to temporarily pause visa appointments at US embassies and consulates globally as the State Department conducts a new training programme for consular officers.

According to a Financial Times report, the pause also comes as the Trump administration steps up scrutiny of applicants who could potentially become dependent on government benefits.

This also comes after the administration proposed a $103,265 application fee for H-1B visas, which are widely used by US companies to hire skilled foreign workers, including those from India and China.

What about the visa applications: applicants with interviews already scheduled received emails informing them that their appointments would be moved. They were reportedly told that they would be notified later about new dates, but no timeline was provided.

The broader impact: a report by the Common App said that although application volumes for undergraduate admissions for the upcoming 2026-27 academic year rose overall, the number of international applicants through March 1 fell 10%, the steepest decline on record.

Meanwhile, applications from Indian students to US colleges have fallen 15%. The estimated number of international students is projected to decline from around 11.69 lakh in 2025-26 to 10.57 lakh in 2026-27, according to the report cited by PTI.

For Indian applicants, the combination of tighter visa conditions, uncertainty over post-study employment, and a potential decline in international enrolment could make the US a less predictable option than in previous years.