Indian students seeking to study in the United States have seen a sharp decline in student visa approvals, with new data showing that visa issuances during the peak admissions season fell far more steeply than those for Chinese applicants.
According to an analysis by the Centre for Immigration Studies (CIS), US consulates issued 22,149 F-1 student visas to Indian nationals between May and August 2025, down 62% from 58,694 during the same period a year earlier. By comparison, F-1 visas issued to Chinese students declined 34%, from 61,075 to 40,034.
The May-August period accounts for most student visa issuances because universities begin their academic sessions during these months. While the latest figures reflect visa approvals rather than enrolment, they provide an early indication of how many students may ultimately reach US campuses.
The decline comes despite India remaining the largest source of international students in the United States. According to the Institute of International Education, more than 363,000 Indian students were enrolled at US higher education institutions during the 2024-25 academic year.
The CIS attributes the decline to a broader tightening of immigration policies under the Trump administration. Recent changes include replacing the long-standing “duration of status” system with fixed admission periods for most F-1 visa holders, shortening the grace period after graduation from 60 days to 30 days, and introducing stricter rules governing extensions and transfers between academic institutions.
The changes could have consequences beyond university admissions. Indian graduates form the largest group participating in the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme, which allows eligible international students to work in the United States after completing their degrees. They also account for the largest share of the STEM OPT extension.
If lower visa approvals continue and work pathways become more restrictive, the impact could extend beyond student mobility to the pipeline of skilled Indian graduates entering the US workforce. For prospective students, the issue is no longer only about securing university admission but also understanding how changing immigration policies could influence long-term study and career opportunities
Source: India Today
