USA Student Visa Numbers Fall To 4 Year Low With 50% Drop From Indian Students

USA Student Visa News and Updates

Recent US student visa news showcases a trend set by the tighter visa restrictions, including Scrapping of the interview waiver program for many applicants, implementation of fixed term visas replacing the usual 'duration of status' for students F1 visa.

• Interview Waiver Program: Recently, the US govt announced that many applicants who earlier did not require an in-person interview will now be required to attend one to secure their visa.

• Fixed-Term visas: The 'duration of status' model for F1-student visas is replaced with fixed-term visas which are usually capped at a maximum of four years. So, now students will be required to secure a new visa stamp if their studies extend beyond this period. This is applicable for programs like bachelor's to master's to PhD.

• Tighter Post-Graduation Rules: Trump's crackdown on international students include stricter post graduation rules. Now students can stay for only 30 days in the US instead of 60 days earlier once their Optional Practical Training (OPT) ends.

• Mandatory Social Media Checks: Student visa applications include mandatory checks of applicants' social media profiles. This rule was introduced after anti semitic incidents occurred during protests in various US universities campuses.

Massive Decrease in US Student Visa Arrivals: Lowest in Last 4 years

There is a sharp decline in international students' choices of countries to have higher education from abroad in 2026. The majority of students from India, followed by China, are avoiding US for higher studies abroad due to the current F1 visa crisis and H1B uncertainty with constantly increasing financial costs of studying in the country. This is further supported by the statistics presented as per the reports from the International Trade Administration in 2025. Let's check the table below to understand the total number of students who arrived in USA for the August admission intake, countries with declining preferences, and key observations from it.

US Student Visa Number Decrease: Statistics 2025

This data is from the International Trade Administration of the 5 consecutive months in 2025:

Also Read:

• After H1B, OPT Tax Burden Will Hit Indian Students

• Why Indian Students Leaving US For The First Time As Top Study Destination?

• Proposal to Remove H1B Visa Lottery System by Trump

Country-wise Decline in US Student Visa Arrivals

Along with India, 13 major countries from Asia also showed a major decline in US student visa arrivals, including China, Japan, Vietnam, etc. Just 1,91,000 asian students arrived in USA for the August admission intake, showing a significant drop of 24% from the previous year. Check the table for more details:

Impact of Major Drops In Student Visas for the Education Sector in USA

According to reports by NAFSA (Association of International Educators), the US education sector will be significantly affected by the consistent drop in international student arrivals in the country. The US educational system could lose up to $7 billion in revenue in this September (fall) intake alone. In 2024 academic year, international students contributed $44 billion to the US economy, which further created around 4,00,000 jobs in the market. With such a significant drop in international enrollment this year, the financial fallout was predictable.

Not only the universities and colleges in US, but also the entire US educational sector will be affected due to high amounts of financial loss. The impact can be anything ranging from universities losing funding to program cuts.

Zuzana Cepla Wootson (Deputy Director of Federal Policy of the President) spoke on ‘Higher Education and Immigration’. She quotes

“If the trends continue, the impact will be significant not only for campuses and their students—both international and American—but for the economy overall,”

“Fewer international students mean fewer contributions to US leadership in science and technology—and, ultimately, a less competitive United States in the long run.”

Also Read:

Is Major Drop in US Student Visas a result of Immigration policy changes under Trump?

It seems so. Yes, the decrease in a significant number of student visas for USA can result from the stringent changes in immigration under Trump’s administration. The challenges of studying in USA for international students including increasing financial requirements.

President Trump recently signed a proclamation imposing a $100,000 fee on H-1B visa applications. On this, Zuzana Cepla Wootson, of the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, quotes ‘Fewer international students mean fewer contributions to US leadership in science and technology—and, ultimately, a less competitive United States’. This new increased financial burden of Trump’s $100K visa fee on H1B visas is questionable towards the end of American dream for Indian students.

Indian Students Avoiding USA; Alternative Countries Are Gaining Popularity

While USA has imposed Indian students with different challenges, there are other countries that have focused on streamlining their process to attract foreign students. While US is constantly losing international students, countries like Germany, UAE, Poland, New Zealand, France, and more are gaining popularity as a top study abroad destination.

Conclusion: Is This the End of the American Dream for Indian Students?

No, it is definitely not the end of the American dream for Indian students. International students can still choose the USA to study abroad. However, they must be cautious and fully aware of the requirements to comply with them in the best way possible. Many Indian students are avoiding the US and preferring other countries instead due to a significant number of challenges.

It is often advised not to choose the US because of the anti-immigration policies currently in place. Many international students are exposed to risks of deportation and working uncertainties under Trump. Still, students who want to achieve their American dream and can overcome the current immigration challenges can choose the US for higher education. Apart from this, the USA has experienced its biggest decline in international students from India.