Indian students in US buckle under visa heat & job crunch

HYDERABAD: Amid stricter visa enforcement and shrinking work opportunities, Indian students in the US are struggling to make ends meet. Official records show that more than 4,700 student visas were revoked in recent months for irregular attendance or unauthorised employment. Workplace inspections in several states have forced students to abandon part-time jobs that once covered rent and daily expenses.

Students told TOI they have either cut back drastically on spending or turned to family for help.



"Earlier, I managed to balance studies and a job at a restaurant. I worked at least eight hours a day. But after the checks began, my employer let go of all student workers. I found another restaurant job, but they allow us to work for not more than three hours a day. My earnings don't even cover groceries," said a 25-year-old student in Los Angeles pursuing a master's in cyber security.

The financial crunch has forced many to share cramped housing. "I used to earn about $1,200 a month, enough to manage my living costs. Now I make less than a quarter of that. There are six of us in a two-bedroom apartment. It's the only way to keep expenses down," said a 27-year-old computer science student from Atlanta. With tuition and living costs rising, he added, "I've stopped eating out, cancelled subscriptions and cut everything possible. Every dollar counts."

Beyond survival, future prospects are also fading. The Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme, once a reliable pathway to gain US job experience, now offers fewer opportunities. The tightening of norms is also reflected in official numbers. Active student enrolments from India fell by 28% year-on-year until March 2025, underlining how hostile the environment has become.

"I came here thinking this was an investment in my future. Instead of focusing on learning, I'm constantly worried about rent and rules. If things don't improve, going back to India might be my only option," said a 25-year-old from Atlanta who recently completed a master's in IT but is struggling to find work.

City-based consultants say they are keeping prospective applicants informed. "This intake was the worst in decades. Students in the US are already struggling, and those planning to move there are in no better shape. We are making sure they know the ground reality. The next couple of years are going to be tough," said Chirandeep Patnaik of Lemma One Consulting.