44 per cent fewer Indian students in US this year: visa rules, high costs cited
The number of Indian students going to the US for higher studies dropped by 44 per cent in August 2025 which is the steepest fall since the pandemic. Visa delays, stricter immigration policies and rising costs under Trump's administration are key factors as anticipated by experts.
New Delhi: This year, the number of Indian students heading to the United States for higher studies has dropped by 44.5 per cent. This has been marked as the steepest fall since the COVID-19 pandemic. As per the new federal data, the US issued around 313,138 student visas in the month of August 2025, marking a 19.1 per cent decrease compared to August 2024.
India, which sends the highest number of students to the US, saw the biggest decline among all countries. In total, 41,540 fewer Indian students travelled to the US this August than in the same month last year. August is usually the peak travel period for students joining the fall semester. The decline has been linked to restrictive immigration and visa policies under President Donald Trump’s administration.
Global decline, but impact on India most severe
The United States International Trade Administration (ITA) data showed that the fall was not limited to India. Student arrivals from China dropped by 12 per cent and from South Korea by 11 per cent. However, the impact on India was the most severe, indicating growing uncertainty among students regarding US visa processes and post-study opportunities.
While the latest monthly data suggests a worrying trend, experts have cautioned that one month’s figures may not reflect the entire academic year. The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) data, released recently, indicated an overall 0.8 per cent increase in the total number of international students in the US this year which contradicts earlier predictions of a sharp 15 per cent drop.
Visa delays, policy changes add to student concerns
As per the report, many international students including those from India, faced significant hurdles this year. Several new immigration measures introduced under the Trump administration such as visa revocations, deportation attempts and travel bans covering 19 countries have created confusion and anxiety.
Additionally, a new rule requiring social media screening for visa applicants and the temporary suspension of new visa interviews for nearly a month during the summer caused major delays. These disruptions prevented many students from arriving on time for their academic sessions.
Adding to the uncertainty, proposed changes to the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme could make students’ earnings taxable. The recent modification of the H-1B visa, which now carries a new fee of USD 100,000, has also raised concerns among aspiring students and families planning for education in the US.