There has been no change in rules and guidelines for US visas so those aspiring to go to America for higher studies need not worry for now, Madelyn A. Mahon, vice-consul at the US consulate general in Kolkata, told The Telegraph on Wednesday.

'There's a perception that US visa has become difficult, but there has been no change in visa rules for students,' Mahon, who is on a four-day visit to Bihar, said. 'We continue to give student visas to Indian students. I am not saying that it cannot change, but the process is slow and it will take time to trickle down to officials like us.'

Mahon, who is on a four-day visit to Bihar, there had been a 25 per cent jump of students seeking visas in 2016. 'I do not have the figures for 2017,' she added.

Ever since Donald Trump became US President, there have been talks of difficulties in getting US visa, especially the H1B visa for working professionals and which students apply for after undergoing a training programme in the US.

Mahon stressed that nothing has changed for now.

Asked if scholarships are shrinking in US universities, she said she would not know. 'Scholarships depend on university to university, but I would advise aspiring students to go to the USIEF (US-India Educational Foundation) centre in Kolkata,' she said. 'They will give guidance to students on accredited universities and how to apply.'

She said so far they have not received any fresh guidelines on H1B and L1 (intra-company transfer) visa.

'The US economy is presently doing well,' she said. 'It means even Indians living there would be doing well. It is beneficial for both countries. The US gets skilled professionals and Indians get employment and advanced skilled professionals when they return back to India.'