New Delhi, July 7 -- Nearly two weeks since the United States consulates in India resumed F-1 student visa interviews on June 26, chaos still reigns for thousands of hopeful students. Appointments are still scarce, 221 (g) notices are on the rise, and the mounting uncertainty is threatening to derail August travel plans for students heading to American universities.

Speaking to Business Standard, LaunchEd co-founder Kajal Dave said that despite resumption of visa appointment, things have been "a mess" and added that students with start dates in August have paid tuition, booked flights, and secured housing, "but cannot get a visa appointment in time".

The financial risk is steep. Dave estimated that students will be facing potential loss...