Education consultants caution families from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) considering their children's studies at American universities that even minor legal or behavioral infractions can now influence decisions regarding student visas. This introduces additional uncertainty into the application process.
These warnings arise as some families reconsider the US as a study destination or reduce the priority of American institutions due to visa processing concerns. Consultants note that the issue lies not so much in a formal change of rules, but in their stricter enforcement.
Michael Geimerl, head of career and college consulting at Score Plus Educational Consulting Institute, stated that the situation is related to increased scrutiny rather than an official regulatory change. He noted the uncertainty, which causes families to review plans concerning the US or lower the ranking of American universities.
A representative of the US embassy involved in the visa process in Abu Dhabi allegedly clarified that the rules themselves have not changed, but they might have been applied more leniently previously. Geimerl emphasized that in the past, students' mistakes could be met with some leniency, allowing them to learn from the experience, whereas now there is a zero-tolerance policy, and even the slightest issue can lead to a visa denial.
This message applies not only to university admission; decisions made in high school can have consequences extending beyond grades, test scores, and extracurricular achievements. The expert insists that students must monitor their behavior, as what was once considered insignificant can now have serious repercussions.
Geimerl also acknowledged that general geopolitical events have contributed to uncertainty in international education and travel, although the situation, according to him, is beginning to stabilize. He advises UAE families to start planning their education long before twelfth grade.
Starting early allows students to identify areas needing improvement and gradually shape their academic, extracurricular, and personal profiles, instead of trying to do everything in the final school years. In Geimerl's opinion, the difference between a student who starts planning in tenth grade and one who approaches the process in twelfth grade can be significant, as much has already been done in the latter case.
Ritu, Director of Score Plus, added that the overall landscape of international education is changing. Today, students and families look not only at the reputation of the university but also at the overall value of the educational path, including quality of instruction, accessibility, employment opportunities, technology, student experience, and post-graduation prospects. Thus, the future of international education lies in finding the right combination of university, program, country, cost, career path, and fit for the student.
