There is a significant decrease in the approval of student visas for Indian students planning to study in the US during the main admission season of 2025. According to new data, this drop was more substantial compared to the similar decline among Chinese students.
According to the 'Center for Immigration Studies' (CIS), American consulates issued only 22,149 F-1 student visas to Indian citizens between May and August 2025. This figure is significantly lower than the 58,694 visas issued during the same period in 2024, representing a 62 percent drop.
Although a decline was also noted among Chinese students, it did not reach the scale observed in India. The number of F-1 visas issued to Chinese citizens decreased by 34 percent year-on-year, falling from 61,075 to 40,034.
The period from May to August is considered the busiest time for processing student visas, as most international students receive their visas before the start of the academic semester in the US. CIS analysis indicates that the recent reduction in visa issuance may affect the future number of applicants and the quantity of international graduates integrating into the US workforce.
The report emphasizes the importance of the May to August period, as about three-quarters of all annual student visas for India and China are issued during these four months. The key role of Indian graduates in the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, which allows qualified international students to work in the US after completing their studies, is also discussed.
During the 2024-25 academic year, 294,253 international graduates participated in the OPT program, approximately half of whom—143,740 people—were Indian citizens, while the number of Chinese graduates was 61,981.
The Center for Immigration Studies noted that the decrease in international students will lead to a reduction in the number of international graduates participating in the American workforce through the OPT program. The decline in student visas occurred after the Trump administration significantly tightened US immigration rules, making education and career building in the country more difficult for international students.
In July, the US Department of Homeland Security approved a new rule replacing the long-standing 'status duration' policy for most F-1 student visa holders, establishing a fixed period of study. This rule will take effect on September 15. Under the new provisions, students can generally stay in the US for up to four years, and if an extension is necessary, they will need to apply for an extension.
Furthermore, the administration reduced the post-graduation grace period from 60 to 30 days and introduced stricter requirements for changing schools or academic programs. These changes do not only apply to college campuses. The Trump administration has also taken a hardline stance on the OPT program, which, although still operational, is being discussed in the context of potential measures to tighten or reduce it.
If Donald Trump decides to continue this policy, it could particularly affect Indian students, who constitute the largest portion of OPT participants, especially in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields.
