A new report by the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS) has revealed a significant decline in the number of US student visas issued to Indian students in 2025, raising concerns about the future of international student enrolment and the availability of skilled talent in the United States. The report suggests that the sharp drop in visa approvals could affect not only universities that rely on international students but also industries that benefit from highly qualified graduates.
According to the report, only 22,149 F-1 student visas were issued to Indian students during the May to August 2025 period, compared to 58,694 visas issued during the same period in 2024. This represents a 62% decline year-on-year and is also nearly 60% lower than the average number of visas issued during the pre-pandemic and post-pandemic years between 2017–19 and 2021–24.
The report analysed visa issuance trends during the May–August period because these months account for the majority of student visas granted before the beginning of the academic session in the United States. The year 2020 was excluded from the analysis due to disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which significantly affected visa processing worldwide.
Despite the decline in visa numbers, Indian students continue to form one of the largest international student communities in the United States. According to data cited from the Institute of International Education (IIE), 363,019 Indian students and 265,919 Chinese students were enrolled in US higher education institutions during the 2024–25 academic year. Together, these two countries accounted for 53% of the total international student population in the US.
Education experts believe that the decline in F-1 student visas could influence the study-abroad plans of thousands of Indian students aspiring to pursue higher education in the United States. Fewer visa approvals may also impact university enrolments, research programmes, and the long-term supply of skilled graduates entering the US workforce.
Students planning to study in the US are advised to stay updated with the latest immigration guidelines, maintain complete documentation, and begin their visa application process well in advance to avoid delays.
