US Student Visa Approvals for Indians Plunge 62%, Nearly Double China's Decline Amid Trump Crackdown

New Delhi: Indian students aspiring to study in the United States have suffered a major setback, with the number of US student visas issued to Indians dropping by 62% during the peak May-August 2025 period, nearly twice the decline recorded for Chinese students, according to new data analysed by the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS).

The sharp fall comes amid tighter immigration and visa screening measures introduced under US President Donald Trump's administration.

The report shows that while F-1 student visas granted to Indian nationals fell by 62%, visas issued to Chinese students declined by 34%. India and China together account for more than half of all international students enrolled in American universities, making the decline significant for US higher education institutions as well.

The steep drop follows a series of policy changes by the Trump administration aimed at tightening immigration controls. Earlier this year, the US temporarily paused student visa interviews worldwide, introduced expanded social media vetting for applicants and increased scrutiny of visa applications before gradually resuming processing. These measures led to long appointment backlogs and delays during the crucial admissions season.

The CIS report also renewed its criticism of the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme, which allows international students to work in the US after completing their studies. It recommended scrapping the programme, arguing that it disadvantages American graduates in the job market.

Indian students are among the largest beneficiaries of OPT, making any future policy change particularly consequential for them.

Education experts believe the combination of stricter visa screening, uncertainty over post-study work opportunities and changing immigration policies could prompt more Indian students to consider alternative destinations such as the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada and Australia for higher education.

The latest figures add to a broader trend of declining legal immigration to the United States under the Trump administration. Analysts say the tightening of visa rules has affected several categories of legal visas, with international students among the hardest hit.

The decline is expected to have implications beyond students, as Indian nationals have consistently formed one of the largest groups of international students in the US, contributing billions of dollars annually to American universities and the wider economy.

Universities that rely heavily on overseas enrolments may also face financial pressure if the trend continues.

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