Option 1: Still Apply to US Universities#

This might sound counterintuitive. You are banned from getting a student visa, so why would you apply to US universities?

Because it is one of the smartest things you can do right now. Let me explain.

Why Applying Now Makes Sense#

1. You Can Defer Admission#

Most US universities allow admitted students to defer their enrollment by 1-2 years. This means you can:

1. Apply now
2. Get accepted
3. Ask the university to hold your spot
4. Start when the ban is lifted

You lose nothing by getting accepted. But if you wait until the ban is lifted to start applying, you will be 1-2 years behind everyone else.

2. The Ban May Not Last Forever#

Travel bans are not permanent. Consider the history:

• The 2017 travel ban was blocked by courts within days of being signed
• It went through multiple revisions and legal challenges for years
• Courts struck down parts of it multiple times
• The Biden administration revoked it entirely in 2021

The current ban will almost certainly face legal challenges too. Lawsuits are already being filed. If the courts block or modify the ban, students with acceptance letters will be first in line.

3. Fewer Students Are Applying — Your Odds Are Better#

This is the part nobody is talking about. When a ban hits, most students from affected countries stop applying. Applications from banned countries have already dropped significantly.

But here is what that means for you: less competition. Universities that used to receive thousands of applications from your country are now receiving hundreds. Your application stands out more. Your chances of getting accepted — and getting scholarships — are actually higher than before the ban.

Universities still want diverse student bodies. They still want international students. Many have publicly stated they will continue admitting students from banned countries.

4. Your Acceptance Opens Other Doors#

Having an acceptance letter from a top US university is valuable even if you cannot go there right now:

• It proves your academic capability to other universities (including Canadian ones)
• It gives you leverage for scholarships elsewhere
• It positions you to transfer or start immediately if the ban lifts
• Some universities allow you to begin coursework online while waiting

How to Do This — Step by Step#

Step 1: Apply Normally#

Apply to US universities exactly as you would without the ban. Take your IELTS/TOEFL. Prepare your essays. Gather your transcripts. Submit your applications.

Apply to schools that meet 100% of demonstrated financial need — the same schools I recommend in my other courses:

• Study for FREE in the USA — Bachelor's
• Study for FREE in the USA — Master's
• Full Scholarships for International Transfer Students
• Full Scholarships for Older International Students

Step 2: Get Accepted and Secure Your Scholarship#

Go through the full admissions process. If you get accepted with a full scholarship, that offer is real. The university is committing funds to you.

Step 3: Request a Deferral#

Once accepted, contact the admissions office and explain your situation. Ask to defer your enrollment. Most schools will grant a 1-year deferral, and many will extend it further if the ban is still in place.

Key things to ask:

• Is the scholarship deferred too? — Make sure your financial aid package carries over. Most full-scholarship schools will honor this.
• How long can you defer? — Get this in writing.
• Can you start courses online while deferred? — Some schools offer this option.
• What is the process to activate your enrollment when ready? — Know the steps so you can move fast.

Step 4: Keep Your Application Strong#

While you wait:

• Keep your grades up if you are still in school
• Continue building your extracurricular profile
• Stay in touch with the university — respond to emails, attend virtual events
• Monitor the legal situation around the ban

Step 5: Be Ready to Move Fast#

When the ban is lifted — whether by court order, policy change, or a new administration — the rush will be massive. Everyone who has been waiting will try to get their visas at once.

If you already have an acceptance letter, an I-20 form, and a scholarship package, you are at the front of the line. While others are scrambling to apply, you are scheduling your visa appointment.

What Universities Are Saying#

Many US universities have released public statements supporting students from banned countries:

• They continue to review and accept applications from all countries
• They are offering extended deferrals for students who cannot obtain visas
• Some are providing online coursework options for deferred students
• Financial aid offices are working with affected students on a case-by-case basis

Contact the admissions office of any school you are interested in. Ask them directly what accommodations they offer for students from banned countries. You may be surprised by how helpful they are.

The Cost of Not Applying#

Let me put it bluntly. If you do not apply now:

• You miss application deadlines
• You lose 1-2 years of preparation time
• When the ban lifts, you start from zero while others who applied are already accepted
• You may miss scholarship opportunities that are available now but may not exist later

There is zero downside to applying. Application fees are the only cost, and many schools offer fee waivers for students from affected countries. The upside is massive.

The Bottom Line#

The ban blocks your visa, not your application. Apply now. Get accepted. Secure your scholarship. Defer if needed. And be ready to move the moment the door opens.

The students who win are the ones who prepare before the opportunity arrives.