US Student Visa
The number of US F-1 student visas issued to Indian nationals dropped sharply in 2025, raising concerns among students planning to pursue higher education in the United States. According to a report by the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS), visa approvals for Indian students fell by 62%, while approvals for Chinese students declined by 34% during the same period.
Between May and August 2025, US consulates issued only 22,149 F-1 visas to Indian students compared with 58,694 during the same period in 2024.
The decline is significantly steeper than that experienced by Chinese applicants, highlighting a major shift in US student visa approvals. India and China together account for more than half of all international students enrolled in American universities, making the trend particularly significant.
The CIS report also recommends ending the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme, which allows international students to work in the United States after graduation.
Indian students represent one of the largest groups participating in OPT. If the programme is changed or discontinued, it could substantially affect Indian graduates seeking work experience after completing their degrees in the US.
Education experts believe stricter visa screening and evolving immigration policies have contributed to the decline.
Students planning to study in the US are now being advised to prepare applications more carefully while also considering alternative destinations such as Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and Germany. Despite the current challenges, the United States remains one of the world’s leading destinations for higher education.
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