Study in USA
Universities inviting applications | Get expert guidance
Why Indian Students Are Avoiding US for Study Abroad 2025: Trump Administration Crisis
Edited By Prabhjyot Kaur | Updated on Jul 21, 2025 10:11 AM IST
Indian students are avoiding USA for study abroad in 2025 amid the restrictive policies under the Trump administration's ongoing crisis. US is a popular study abroad destination offering top-notch educational system, the latest research facilities, the best networking opportunities, and career prospects in the world’s largest economy with a GDP of over $30 trillion. Last year, US welcomed around 1.1 million international students 2024 with Indian students a major portion of it. However, USA universities and colleges have witnessed a major decline in this number amid the current crisis imposed under Trump’s administration. Recently, many education consultants, particularly in Hyderabad, found that a 70% dip (reduction) in students choosing to study in USA in 2025.
This Story also Contains
- US Policies: Latest Developments For International Students
- Studying in US is getting harder for International Students
- Impact of US Latest Policies Shifts on Indian Students
- Indian Students Shifting to New Study Destinations Avoiding US in 2025
Reasons why Indian students are avoiding studying in USA in 2025 are not limited and range from ever rising study costs and visa challenges to uncertainty over the H1B visa and OPT programmes. So, this means that the whole process of studying in USA has become significantly complex, posing various challenges for Indian students. Obtaining a US student visa is a big hassle with high university fees, where, on completion of the course of study, there’s uncertainty surrounding post-study work options. Let us now check in detail why there is a dip in students applying for studies in USA in 2025 through this article. We have mentioned the key challenges for Indian students seeking studies in US.
Read more:
US Policies: Latest Developments For International Students
Since the inauguration of Trump’s administration in January 2025, the party has introduced restrictive measures for international students, including those from India. These changes lead to the reason why Indian students are steering clear of US in 2025. Typically, the updates including tighter screening, freezing of interviews, and high rejection rates, led to uncertainty, stress, and financial risk for Indian students.
Additionally, study abroad consultants in Hyderabad reported a 70% increase in higher education applications to the USA from India. The US student visa, known as F1 visa is under great scrutiny which has made international students worry. Let us check some of the major changes in USA under Trump’s administration that make it harder for Indian students to study in the US:
Increase In US Visa Fees For Indian Students
Effective from 2026, the US immigration has increased the student visa fees for international students. Also, they have introduced a "Visa Integrity Fee" of USD 250 for non-immigrants.
F1 Visa Slots Unavailable In India
One of the major reasons why Indian students are avoiding US for study abroad in 2025 because of the unavailability of F1 visa slots in India. As Indian students are not able to book a slot at US embassy, it is a big hurdle for them to consider the country for higher education. The previous month-long freeze on US students' visa interviews from May 27 to June 26, 2025, creates a situation of havoc for students, impacting over 1,00,000.
Interview slots are unpredictably released and sometimes without acknowledgement. There are unclear statements from US immigration regarding the time when they release the slots.
High Rejection Rates For Indian Students Applying For Us Study Visa
Over the past years, 2025 has experienced the highest number of US student visa rejections, particularly the highest in 10 years. This shows that the F1 visa refusal is quite high for Indian students amid the ongoing crisis due to Trump's rules. There are mainly two slips through which how US student visa rejections are communicated. These include the following:
221(g) Rejection: It means that the candidate has submitted an incomplete application that requires verification. Some common reasons include missing documents or more verification being required.
214(b) Rejection: It means that the candidate was rejected for the visa due to typical reasons such as ingenuous intent of coming back to India, insufficiency in financial documents, etc.
Currently, high refusal of US student visas is due to the second slip (Section 214(b)), which means an insincere intent to come back to India after completing studies in USA.
High Studying Cost in USA for International Students
One of the major concerns for Indian students is the ever-rising cost of studying in USA. So, students are required to be financially committed to study there. Cost is determined by the university’s tuition fees, accommodation costs, travel expenses, additional fees, and many other miscellaneous costs. Relatively, the tuition fees in tier one and top universities in US are exorbitantly high. Students must also budget for books and supplies as an extra cost. The average cost of studying in USA for Indian students is typically USD 38,270. Check the cost of living in USA, from here.
High Financial Burden of Remittance Tax
Effective from January 01, 2026, US government will levy a new 1% remittance tax on Indian students if they are sending money to India. This particular update will apply especially for the ones on F-1 student visas in US.
H-1B Visa and Employment Uncertainty
H1-B visa is becoming highly difficult for Indian students. There are uncertain changes to the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program and other employment pathways in USA. It is one of the key post study work visas in US for Indian students, and then apply for H-1B sponsorships.
There are several factors that contribute to the stricter application verifications; hereby, including getting the H1B visa. These include increased scrutiny by the US government, longer processing times, higher risks of rejections, employer avoidance for job opportunities, and many more. Also, American businesses are prioritising American workers over others due to the ‘Buy American, Hire American’ policies. This means that there is a reduction in post study work opportunities.
Also Read:
Studying in US is getting harder for International Students
We can say that the studies in US are becoming very challenging for Indian applicants, starting from obtaining a study visa to the future career uncertainty. In 2024, the number of Indian students in US reduced by 13%, which is 2,34,500 in 2023 to 2,04,000 in 2024. This number is further reduced in 2025. Recently, the US has faced a 70-80% drop in Fall 2025 in Indian students as the visa crisis deepens, according to education consultants in Hyderabad. With the uncertain release of study visa slots in stages, increased scrutiny, a confusing process, and high rejection rates for student visas, students are becoming very anxious. This resulted in Indian students either withdrawing applications or deferring admissions because of visa challenges and uncertainty.
Related Reads:
Impact of US Latest Policies Shifts on Indian Students
Indian students are impacted due to the ongoing policy shifts under Trump’s administration in 2025. It has raised many concerns and a situation of anxiety among them, leading to their avoidance of studying in US and choosing other countries for higher education. Let us check some of the key impacts of US policies on Indian students in 2025:
Stress and Anxiety due to Visa challenges
Sudden and unpredictable policy changes with unclear processes have taken a mental toll on Indian students. They are facing increased paperwork, high scrutiny, extra fees, and unexpected delays. This is because even the slightest mistake can cost you your study visa.
Work Visa Challenges pose Financial And Mental Strain
As H-1B work visa after completing studies in US is harder for Indian students now that also includes a high rate of rejections and increased fees. This means that Indian students who have potentially spent INR 35 to 50 lakhs per year on studies in US have a high financial risk. The study costs are often funded through education loans or family savings, implying studying in US as a highly risky investment for Indians due to the uncertain job opportunities in the US market after graduation.
Emotional Challenges for Indian Students
Studying in the US is a dream for many. However, under Trump’s administration, there is an ongoing crisis affecting international students. Students' aspirations are being crushed by current visa delays and rejections. Other emotional challenges include mental stress caused by constant uncertainty over the availability of F1 visa slots. There is ongoing family anxiety as well as the risk to their entire savings and financial investments. This causes frustration. Consequently, Indian students are hesitant to consider the US for higher education.
Read more:
Indian Students Shifting to New Study Destinations Avoiding US in 2025
As we have already discussed, the majority of Indian students are no longer choosing US for higher education in 2025. This is due to stricter visa processes, difficulties in obtaining student visas, higher education costs, and restrictive immigration rules. Consequently, there has been a shift in focus from US to emerging destinations such as Germany, New Zealand, France, and Ireland.
This strategic move from the US to other study abroad options is because Indian students now prefer countries with stable and hassle-free visa processes, lower tuition fees, better post-study work opportunities, and faster processing times. Other factors for shifting sentiments and choosing an alternative destination include safety and bias concerns. Let us now examine the top three countries preferred by Indian students, avoiding the US.
Top Countries With Increasing Popularity for Indian Students
Countries | Growth Rate in Students | Description |
Germany | 68% | Students increased from 20,700 to 34,700 from 2022 to 2024. This has further increased with nearly 50,000 more Indian students who are studying in Germany in 2025. |
New Zealand | 354% | Impressively, the students applying to NZ universities increased from 1,600 to 7,300 from 2022 to 2024. Currently, the country targets an INR 371.27 billion contribution to education by 2027. |
France | 33% | Students in France increased from 6,406 to 8,536 from 2022 to 2025. The country has further anticipated in 2025 to host around 30,00 new Indian students by 2030. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is it worth studying abroad in 2025?
Yes, it is definitely worth ir for Indian students to study abroad in 2025. Higher education abroad helps international students to experience a surreal experience, top notch educational system, latest research facilities, and advanced career opportunities. However, choosing a country with visa challenges and complex processes such as US often leaves students with anxiety and higher risks. On the other hand, some countries with stable and easy visa processes, such as Germany, offer international students a hassle-free study abroad experience.
2. Why choose the USA not India for study?
Studying in USA is very complex and challenging for Indian students currently due to visa due to stricter immigration challenges are posed under Trump’s administration. However, USA is still considered a better option for study because the country offers high academic repuattation where majority of universities in top 100 universities in the world as per QS WUR 2026 is from USA. Also, other benefits of studying in US include diverse academic programs, a vibrant campus life, and career opportunities in the world's largest economy by nominal GDP.
Articles
Questions related to
Have a question related to ?
Hi there
Yes you can try to learn various courses that are for approximately 3 months to 6 months in duration.
Yes you can learn before going to us. Learning skills definitively adds some value to the life of a candidate and also improves in getting good recognition in life..
Below i have mentioned some courses that you can try before visiting us:
- Social media marketing
- Content writer
- Content creation
- Video editing
- Photography skills
- Digital marketing
- Stiching
- Makeup artist course
- Hairstyling course.
So these are some courses you can try.
Hope this answer will help you. Revert incase of any query.
Thank you and good luck:)
Anushri Varshney 12 June,2022
Hello Samarasimha,
YES, you can MS in UA after completing Bsc in Statistics. . All you have to do is score good marks in your PG and prepare for GRE. You should also decide upon the country and the university in which you are going to study.
Furthermore, the requirements to pursue MS in USA are as follows :
- 3 to 4 years bachelors degree in relevant field.
- 3.5 or higher GPA, equivalent to 87% in bachelors.
- GRE score of 330 or above.
- Statement of Purpose.
- Research Internships/ Published Research Papers.
- Project work/Seminars.
- 2-3 Letter of Recommendation.
- Social & Leadership Activities.
Further, requirements for Software jobs in USA are as follows :
- Enroll in a software development program. The first step to becoming a software engineer is to enroll in a software development degree program. ...
- Gain internship experience. ...
- Choose your specialty. ...
- Pursue industry certifications. ...
- Continue your education.
I hope that this will help.
Piyush kesarwani 13 May,2022
Dear aspirant hope you are doing well..
To study at foreign universities/abroad in U. S , the admission process will require the candidate to give one language exam and one standardized exam. However, depending on the country, course, college, or university you are applying for you may be exempted from standardized exams. The language test will showcase your English proficiency skills. These exams are required for pursuing almost all courses abroad. Different countries have different language exams such as
- TOEFL exam for getting admission to the universities in the US and Canada. The score of this exam is valid for two years after the declaration of results
- There are plenty of universities abroad where you can apply to do master-level course, MSc in statistics, MSc in Operation Research, and Applied Mathematics, MSc in Mathematical Modeling, etc are some of the Master level Course in Mathematics that are available abroad. Students who have completed their graduation or bachelor's degree in Mathematics can apply for these courses. Foreign universities like Uppsala University, Dublin City University, Oxford Brookes University, University of York, University of Liverpool, etc offer all the above-mentioned courses in mathematics.
Top university of The USA for master degree courses
- John Carroll University
- Missouri University of Science and Technology
- Michigan State University
- West Virginia University
- Rhode Island College
- University of Arkansas
- Vanderbilt University
- DePaul University
- Delaware State University
- Texas A&M University-Commerce
- University of South Florida
- California State University Northridge
You can get the detailed information about the process how to apply for MS in USA. read the given article. Link is given below
https://studyabroad.careers360.com/articles/how-apply-for-ms-in-usa/amp
Hope it's helpful for you..
Thank you
AVINASH KUMAR 23 February,2022
There are many ways to choose your university such as fees, the ranking of the university, which state it is located and scholarships. My suggestion is to choose your research focus and write academic papers. In the US, PhD in Commerce admission into the university depends on what you want to study (your area of research) and your already completed research papers. You can begin your research by searching online for US universities offering PhD in Business Administration. One example is University of California Los Angeles (https://www.anderson.ucla.edu/degrees/phd-program/admissions#app-req) .
Tabitha 08 January,2022
Hello Student
You are aBHM means Bachelor in Hotel Management so after doing BHM,to gain a bright future inthis trade you have to do MSc in Hotel Management,post graduation in Hospitality Management,Master degree in travel and tourism management,or MBA in hotel management,AFter doing post graduation in Hotel management or travel and tourism management will give you the best return in employment opportunity.
Hope this will help.
Sohamsengupta8 13 February,2022
Applications for Admissions are open.
Study in Ireland
ApplyWant to study in Ireland? Explore Universities & Courses
University of Southampton Delhi | BSc (Hons) Admissions 2025
ApplyB.Sc (Hons) Admissions 2025 Now Open | Ranked Among the Top 100 Universities in the World by QS World University Rankings 2025 | Application Closing Soon!
MasterclassSpace GMAT preparation
ApplyAce your GMAT preparation with Masterclass space
MasterclassSpace SAT Prep
ApplyAce your SAT exam with Masterclass space.
GMAC GMAT™ Exam
ApplyUnlock GMAT Success Timeline & Expert Videos | Select test center appointment | Scores valid for 5 Years | Multiple Attempts
Study in Canada
ApplyExplore Universities, Courses & Subjects | Work while study
News and Notifications
Back to top