Parents report that reduced US visa processing capacity in the UAE, combined with appointment shortages in students’ home countries, is creating challenges for overseas education plans.
For many UAE families, the countdown to university has become a race against time as students admitted to US universities face difficulties securing visa appointments. Parents say limited processing options in the UAE and a lack of available slots in their home countries are raising concerns over whether students will make it to campus this fall.
Families say visa uncertainty is adding pressure to an already stressful transition for students heading to US universities.
For some UAE-based families, securing a US student visa has become a race against time, with several students admitted to American universities still waiting for appointment slots. Some parents have begun exploring alternative study destinations, while others continue to wait for visa appointments that could determine their children’s academic futures.
Akshay Jain, whose son has secured admission to a university in California, said the family has struggled to obtain a student visa appointment.
“We have been living in the UAE for more than 20 years, and our son has secured admission to a university in California in the US. Like many families preparing to send their children abroad this fall, we are now facing uncertainty because student visa appointments are extremely difficult to obtain.”
Jain said the family was advised to apply for the visa in India.
“With limited visa processing in the UAE, we have been asked to apply in our home country, India. However, despite trying for several weeks, we have not been able to secure a single appointment slot at any visa application centre there.”
He added that efforts to explore other options in the region also proved unsuccessful, leaving students and families anxious about their plans.
“It has left families like ours in a very challenging situation, with students’ university plans hanging in the balance.”
Some families turn to alternative university destinations
For another UAE-based family, visa uncertainty prompted a reconsideration of study plans. Alok Bhagwat said his son had received offers from several reputed US universities, but the difficulty in securing an appointment created significant anxiety.
“When we applied for a US visa through our agent, we were directed to apply in our home country, India. However, our agent couldn’t secure an appointment there, and there were no slots available in the UAE either.”
The family eventually found reassurance when their son’s preferred alternative, Imperial College London, became a viable option after his International Baccalaureate (IB) results were released.
“Once the IB results were released, he knew he had met the conditions of his offer. It was a huge relief for our family, as we no longer had to worry about chasing a US visa appointment.”
The US missions in the UAE told Khaleej Times that while the United States Embassy in Abu Dhabi and United States Consulate General Dubai remain open, routine visa processing is currently unavailable in the UAE.
Maura Pfeifer, spokesperson for the US Embassy in the UAE’s Public Affairs Section, said consular operations were prioritising services for US citizens “following the departure of non-emergency employees due to the threat of armed conflict.”
“While the US Embassy in Abu Dhabi and Consulate in Dubai are open, routine visa processing is not available in the United Arab Emirates at this time.”
She advised applicants to apply as early as possible and “anticipate additional processing time for these visa categories.”
“All visa applicants should schedule their visa interview appointments in their country of residence or nationality.”
Pfeifer added that nonimmigrant applicants applying outside their country of residence, nationality, or designated processing post may face limited appointment availability and could find it more difficult to meet visa eligibility requirements.
She also noted that applicants can use the expedite request function to seek an exception, although such requests are granted only at the discretion of a consular officer.
The mission is directing applicants to check Global Visa Wait Times on travel.state.gov for updated information on visa wait times by category and location.
Families urged to plan earlier amid changing study-abroad landscape
Education counsellors say visa challenges are adding to wider concerns around overseas education, including rising tuition fees, policy changes, and questions about long-term returns on investment.
Rema Menon Vellat, founder and director of Counselling Point Training and Development, said the current environment has made planning for international education more complex.
“The current geopolitical situation poses problems in securing visa appointments; furthermore, some countries have brought in caps on student visas being granted.”
She said families must also consider affordability and post-study opportunities when choosing destinations.
“Universities across the board have increased fees, so parents are forced to think about return on investment, especially with the rate of the dollar vis-a-vis the value of the currency in the respective home country.”
