
Sat May 31 04:43:17 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary and a news article based on the text:
**Summary:**
Visa delays are disrupting international students’ plans to begin their studies. Universities are responding by offering flexibility, such as allowing late arrivals or offering deferral options (either for a semester or a full year), with the availability of deferral options dependent on whether the university has a Spring/January intake.
**News Article:**
**Visa Delays Prompt Universities to Offer Flexibility to International Students**
**[City, State] –** International students facing visa delays as the start of the academic year approaches are finding some relief from universities offering alternative enrollment options. Many institutions are implementing measures to accommodate students whose arrival is hampered by processing backlogs at embassies and consulates.
According to sources within the university sector, students experiencing visa delays may be granted permission for late arrival to campus. More significantly, universities are increasingly offering deferral options. Students may be able to postpone their enrollment by a semester or even a full academic year, depending on the institution’s academic calendar.
“We understand the significant stress and uncertainty that visa delays can cause for our international students,” said [Quote from a university official – you’d need to invent this, e.g., “Dr. Jane Smith, Dean of International Admissions at State University”]. “We are committed to working with students on a case-by-case basis to find the best solution for their individual circumstances.”
The availability of semester deferrals is contingent on whether a university offers a Spring or January intake. Institutions with a Spring intake are more likely to be able to accommodate semester deferrals. Students are advised to contact their university’s international student office or admissions department directly to discuss their specific situation and explore available options. Experts encourage students to maintain regular communication with their admitting university throughout the visa application process.
The visa delays are believed to be stemming from [insert possible reason for delays, e.g., “a surge in applications following the pandemic,” or “staffing shortages at consular offices”]. The impact on international student enrollment figures remains to be seen.