Indian Student Denied US Visa Despite ₹89 Lakh Scholarship

Kaushik Raj, a 27-year-old Indian journalist, has been denied a U.S. student visa despite securing a $100,000 (approximately ₹89 lakh) scholarship to pursue a Master's in Data Journalism at Columbia University. The program was set to commence on August 15, but Raj's visa was rejected the same month.

Raj, a freelance reporter, faced delays in the visa application process, including a temporary halt in student visa issuances by the U.S. government. After persistent efforts, he managed to secure an interview slot. During the interview on July 29, he was asked to make his social media profiles public, a part of the new screening policy introduced by the Trump administration.

Following the interview, Raj's application status fluctuated between "refused" and "administrative processing" before ultimately being denied on August 14. The rejection letter cited insufficient ties to India, stating that Raj had not demonstrated that his activities in the U.S. would align with the nonimmigrant visa classification.

Raj believes the rejection is linked to his social media activity, where he has shared his reporting on topics such as hate crimes and the treatment of Muslims in India. He expressed frustration, stating that if the authorities had concerns about his application, they could have addressed them during the interview rather than after reviewing his social media.

This incident highlights the growing trend of social media scrutiny in U.S. visa applications, particularly for students from India. Data from the International Trade Administration indicates a 50% decline in student visa arrivals from India in August 2025 compared to the previous year.

Raj has deferred his admission to Columbia University for the next academic year but remains uncertain about reapplying, given the ongoing social media vetting process. He is considering alternative options for pursuing his studies abroad.