An Indian student planning to study in the US claims their F-1 visa interview appointment was canceled after refusing to pay an additional ₹20,000 to an agent beyond the official fees. The original August start date listed on the I-20 is now uncertain as the agent suggested delaying admission to January 2027. The student expresses concern over whether to continue working with this agent or manage visa appointments independently. Official US government sources warn against such additional payments, characterizing them as potential scams.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-10-05,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
An Indian student planning to study in a US university reported on Reddit that an agent canceled their F-1 visa interview appointment after they refused to pay an additional ₹20,000 (approximately $245) for securing it. Initially, the student was supposed to begin classes on August 31, 2026, but due to not getting a visa interview before their program start date, their intake could potentially be delayed until January 2027. The agent informed the student about an October 19 appointment but demanded extra payment for it; when refused, the appointment was canceled.
The student’s account on Reddit states that after refusing to pay the additional fee, they received a confirmation message indicating their interview had been canceled. Upon checking the official US visa scheduling website, the application status showed "Open" with no available appointments in Mumbai and the SEVIS fee still unpaid. This incident highlights potential exploitation by intermediaries involved in processing international student visas.
Written for “F_1 Visa Controversy India” on 2026-10-05,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
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No political leaning scored for article 58461 · logged 2026-10-05
An Indian student claimed on Reddit that an agent asked for an additional Rs 20,000 for an F-1 visa interview, which the Redditor refused to pay and received a message that the appointment was canceled.
asserted
appointment → claim → message
The student, who is planning to pursue a programme at a US university, originally had an I-20 showing an August 31, 2026 programme start date.
asserted
who → plan → date
"Unfortunately, I couldn’t get a visa interview appointment before my school start date, so my agent told me the intake would probably have to be moved to January 2027," the student said.
asserted
student → get → January
According to the student's account, the agent later informed that he had secured an October 19 visa interview appointment.
uncertain
he → accord → appointment
But for that, an additional ₹20,000 was to be paid.
asserted
20,000 → pay → that
"I refused because I wasn't sure why I needed to pay this extra amount.
asserted
I → refuse → amount
He then told me that if I didn't pay, he would cancel the appointment.
asserted
he → tell → appointment
He actually cancelled it, and I received the cancellation confirmation," the Reddit post read.
asserted
post → cancel → confirmation
"Now when I log into the official US visa scheduling website, my application is still showing as “Open” and the post is Mumbai, but there are currently no available appointments.
I have not paid my SEVIS fee yet either.
asserted
I → log → fee
My I-20 still shows the old August 31, 2026 start date, although my agent says I should move my studies to January 2027," the student said.
asserted
student → show → January
"I’m worried because I don't know whether I should continue using this agent, try to manage the appointment myself, ask my school for a new I-20 for January, or do something else first.
asserted
I → ’m → something
I also don't want to pay ₹20,000 if it's simply an agent's additional charge and not an official visa fee," the post added.
asserted
post → want → 20,000
The US Department of State lists the application processing fee for F, M and J visas at $185.
asserted
Department → list → 185
Students applying for an F-1 visa are also generally required to pay the I-901 SEVIS fee before the visa can be issued.
asserted
visa → apply → fee
Getting visa slots through agents
Though USCIS has warned against paying any extra money to any individual or company and called these immigration scams.
asserted
USCIS → get → these
Sometimes businesses and websites pretend to be immigration experts or say they have special connections to the government," USCIS recently posted on social media.
asserted
USCIS → pretend → media
"They might also “guarantee” that you can get a visa, Green Card, or work permit faster if you pay a fee."
uncertain
you → guarantee → fee
On the USCIS website, they have a full statement on this.
asserted
they → have → this
"We recognize that the immigration process can be complex and that applicants, petitioners, and requestors are at risk of becoming victims of scams or fraud.
asserted
applicants → recognize → scams
We encourage you to use the information on this webpage to help
asserted
We → encourage → webpage
," it says
"You do not need a representative to file forms with USCIS.
asserted
You → say → USCIS
You may file forms by yourself and represent yourself before USCIS.
uncertain
You → file → USCIS
If you choose to have a representative, make sure the person helping you is an attorney or an accredited representative working for a Department of Justice -recognized organization.
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person → choose → organization
Only attorneys or accredited representatives (or certain law students or law graduates working under their supervision) are authorized to represent you on immigration matters before USCIS," it adds.
asserted
it → accredit → USCIS
But many Redditors said that only agents are getting visa interview slots and there is no other way to get a slot in such an emergency situation like college admission.
asserted
agents → say → admission
The Aporia
