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“Despite the resumption of US student visa interviews on June 26 after a month-long pause, appointment scarcity, delays, and cancellations continue, especially in high-demand countries like India, China, and Nigeria. The rollout of enhanced visa vetting has made the process rocky and unpredictable. The disruption has already impacted summer programs and raised concerns for fall enrolment, with 73% of institutions expecting a decline and many students reconsidering studying in the US.” 

- Excerpt from PIE News

Last week, our CEO, Bimpe Femi-Oyewo, was featured in an interview with The PIE News. In the conversation, she shared that none of the students in our network have been able to secure a new visa interview date within Nigeria since the freeze began. Thankfully, many of the students we work with had already locked in their appointments before the suspension, but for others, the situation has been disheartening. Several are now traveling outside Nigeria just to access available interview slots, as most expedited requests within the country have been unsuccessful.

It’s heartbreaking to see exceptional Nigerian students, even after earning admission into top US universities and meeting all test requirements, potentially miss out this year due to the limited availability of visa appointments.

The impact extends beyond Nigeria. In India, a similar pattern has emerged. According to another education consultant interviewed by The PIE, delays and the ongoing freeze have discouraged many students preparing to study in the US this fall.

While several US universities are responding with options like deferred admissions, online classes, or flexibility around arrival dates, the disruption has prompted students to explore alternatives. According to NAFSA, interest in countries like the UK, Australia, China, and Germany is on the rise while the US is seeing its lowest interest levels since the peak of the pandemic.

Still, despite these challenges, “U.S. education remains a top priority for Nigerian students,” our CEO emphasized. She has already begun working with students aiming for Fall 2026 enrollment. Although many are now applying to a mix of countries, Canada, the UK, Spain, and France, the US continues to be the number one choice.

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