Why is the US the Top Choice for Indian Students Despite Visa Restrictions in USA?

Amid the current uncertainty of visa rules and regulations, the US is still the top destination for studying abroad. US is home to more than a million international students. Currently, there are over 3.32 lakh active Indian students pursuing higher education in the US. However, reports also state that the active Indian student count took a sharp dive, contrasting the consistent upward trend. From August 2024 to March 2025, the number of active Indian students in the US is approximately 2.5 lakhs. But why do students decide to study in US despite the ongoing confusion within the Trump administration? In this article, we will explore the key factors of the popularity of the US among students despite visa restrictions.

This Story also Contains

1. Trends of Indian Student Enrollment in the US
2. Visa Restrictions And Policy Uncertainties Students Are Facing In The US
3. Why Do Indian Students Still Choose the US for Higher Education?
4. How Indian Students are Combating the Visa Hurdles in the US?
5. What makes the US irreplaceable for international students?

Trends of Indian Student Enrollment in the US

There has been an increase in the number of Indian students in the US every year. However, after Donald Trump inauguration, the uncertainty among students regarding visa rules increased. Reports say that Indian students constitute half of the total number of visas revoked recently within the Trump administration. Additionally, Trump’s immigration agenda puts OPT and CPT programs under scrutiny.

Despite visa policy volatility, the US is likely to remain a top destination due to increasing Indo-US educational collaborations and DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) initiatives in US universities. However, the recent reports have also stated that Trump is planning to eliminate anti-Semitism on USA university campuses. International students also want to know why is Trump threatening Harvard. Due to these reasons, there has been a slight decline in the growth rate; however, students are still choosing the US for higher education.

Read more about:

• Trump’s deportation forces Indian students in US to quit part-time jobs

• US bill threatens to end OPT work visa; Indian students worried

• How Indian students with valid visas can avoid deportation under Trump administration?

Visa Restrictions And Policy Uncertainties Students Are Facing In The US

The following are the challenges that students are currently facing in the US:

• F-1 visa: Students who are on a F-1 student visa in the US are facing stricter measures regarding the verification of documents, resulting in interview delays.

• OPT work visa: A new bill in the US proposes to limit OPT extensions; however, it has not been passed yet. The OPT full form is Optional Practical Training.

• H-1B visa: With the new H1-B visa policy, the demand is more, while the supply is lower. The 85,000 annual cap is impacting the decision of students to pursue higher education in the US.

Despite these, over 140,000 F-1 visas were issued to Indian students in 2024, the highest ever in a single year. Still, due to the ongoing visa uncertainties, the US F-1 Student Visa for Indian Students Down By 38%.

Why Do Indian Students Still Choose the US for Higher Education?

Despite the present visa uncertainties, the question is why students are still inclined towards studying abroad in the US. Here are some of the reasons that encourage them to do this:

Top universities and best research facilities

According to the QS World University Rankings 2025, more than 50 universities are in the US, including MIT, Stanford, and Harvard. These universities offer top-notch research opportunities and global faculty networks, especially for STEM fields.

High ROI and Career Opportunities

Students enrolled in US degrees get a high return on investment (ROI) as they are often placed in global multinational companies like Google, Meta, and Amazon. There is a long list of the highest ROI colleges in the US. The earning potential after completing higher education in the US is high for international students, especially if they are enrolled in STEM fields, because the average STEM salary ranges from $80,000 to $100,000 per year.

Flexible Academic Structure

Students enrolled in various programs in the US can customize their curriculum as per their own choice of electives and interdisciplinary studies. They also get ample opportunities to complete internships, co-op programs, and research assistantships that enhance their chances of getting work experience while studying abroad in the US.

STEM-OPT Extension Advantage

Indian students who enroll in STEM programs in the US get a chance to extend their OPT (Optional Practical Training) programs to 24 months. As a result, they get a total of up to 3 years of work experience after graduating.

Research Exposure

US provides excellent academic research environment and plenty of work opportunities

to pursue them as a career option. Apart from a plenty of STEM programs options, US universities have launched more than twice applied AI-programs in the last two years. This provides an opportunity for students to stay relevant in the ever changing technological field.

How Indian Students are Combating the Visa Hurdles in the US?

Amidst these tighter measures on visa regulations, students are still going to the US for their higher education. These are some of the ways to combat the visa hurdles in the US:

1. With the help of credential evaluation services and guidance from expert visa consultants, students have become more informed about the latest visa updates in the US.

2. International students are applying early to US universities to avoid the delays in slot availability.

3. They are reconsidering study abroad destinations other than the US, like Canada and Australia; however, due to highly recognized global programs and better job opportunities, the US is their top choice.

What makes the US irreplaceable for international students?

These factors make the US the top choice for studying abroad despite the current visa uncertainties:

• Highest global representation in the university rankings

• Top-notch and well-funded research infrastructure

• Hub of top tech firms

• Up to 3 years for STEM via OPT

• Strong alumni network and global links

Visa restrictions may cause momentary anxiety, but for most Indian students, the long-term academic and career benefits of studying in the US outweigh the challenges. As of 2025, the US continues to offer an unmatched combination of quality education, global exposure, and career acceleration, keeping it firmly at the top of every Indian student’s study abroad wishlist.

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