US Student Visas for Indians Drop 61% in 2025

The number of student visas issued by the United States to Indian students fell sharply in 2025, according to an analysis of data from the US Department of State. The decline has raised concerns among American universities that depend heavily on international students.

Data reviewed by the Chronicle of Higher Education shows that the US issued significantly fewer F-1 student visas during the main admission period between May and August 2025.

During these four months, around 97,000 fewer student visas were issued globally compared to the same period in 2024. This represents a 36% decrease worldwide.

India, which has been one of the largest sources of international students for the United States, saw an even sharper fall. American consulates reportedly issued only about 22,000 student visas to Indian applicants during the summer period, marking a decline of more than 60% compared to the previous year.

Earlier surveys had suggested that international student enrolments were falling by around 17%. However, the latest visa data indicates that the drop may be much larger than initially estimated.

Experts believe multiple factors may have contributed to the decline.

One key reason was a temporary pause in student visa interview appointments, reportedly imposed by the US State Department in late May 2025. The pause lasted nearly a month and affected visa processing during a critical time for university admissions.

Policy developments in the United States may also have influenced student decisions. According to reports, actions taken by the administration last year — including the cancellation of legal status for thousands of foreign students — attracted global attention.

Although many of those cancellations were later reversed, the situation reportedly created uncertainty among international applicants.

Other policy discussions, such as proposals to introduce time limits on student visas and potential changes to work programs that allow graduates to stay in the US temporarily after completing their studies, may also have affected student confidence.

Universities are particularly concerned because international students play an important role in higher education programs, especially at the postgraduate level.

Students from overseas form a large portion of enrolments in master’s and doctoral programmes, particularly in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.

Colleges also depend on international student tuition as a major source of revenue. According to the NAFSA: Association of International Educators, international students contributed nearly $43 billion to the US economy last year.

After the pandemic, international enrolments had started to recover strongly. However, visa numbers had already begun to decline in 2024, when issuances dropped by around 12% during the May–August period.

The latest figures for 2025 suggest the decline is much steeper than universities expected.

The sharp reduction in students from India is particularly significant because the country has been a key driver of international enrolment growth in the United States in recent years.

As a result, some colleges are reportedly adjusting budgets and staffing plans while preparing for the upcoming academic year.

Education analysts say the situation highlights how visa policies and student perceptions can directly influence global higher education trends.