Indian students skipping dream of studying in US? Arrivals down 50% in July–August
Indian students skipping dream of studying in US? Arrivals down 50% in July–August
Stricter visa rules, rising costs and tougher work permits blamed for sharp decline
The dream of studying in the United States appears to be losing its appeal for many Indian students. Fresh immigration data shows a steep decline of nearly 50 per cent in arrivals from India to US universities in July and August 2025 compared to the same period last year.
Figures from the US International Trade Administration, based on ADIS/I-94 immigration records, revealed arrivals dropped from 74,825 in August 2024 to 41,540 in August 2025 — a fall of 44.5 per cent. July arrivals were down 46.4 per cent, from 24,298 in 2024 to 13,027 this year.
Experts attribute the downturn to stricter Trump-era immigration policies, including suspended visa interviews, enhanced background and social media checks, and higher visa processing fees. H-1B rules have also been tightened, with the selection process now favouring higher wage levels — a setback for fresh graduates seeking entry-level roles.
The impact could be significant, as Indian students form the single largest group of foreign students in the US. In 2024, they accounted for 27 per cent of all international enrolments, according to the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Student and Exchange Visitor Program. Universities, many of which rely heavily on international enrolments, now face funding and diversity challenges.
Surveys underline the growing anxiety among students. A joint study by the Institute for Progress and NAFSA: Association of International Educators found that 54 per cent of international graduate students would not have enrolled in the US without Optional Practical Training (OPT). Similarly, 57 per cent of master’s students said they would likely leave if OPT were rescinded, while nearly half said they would not have applied if “duration of status” rules were replaced with fixed admission periods.
Optional Practical Training remains a key attraction for students hoping to gain work experience after graduation. In 2024, more than 1.65 lakh foreign students participated in the post-completion STEM OPT extension programme, with Indians making up nearly half of the total.
With uncertainty looming in the US, alternative destinations are gaining ground. Canada, Australia, and the UK are actively pitching themselves with friendlier visa regimes and clearer post-study work options. For many Indian families, these countries now appear safer bets than navigating Washington’s shifting immigration policies.
Unless reversed, experts warn, the current decline could mark a fundamental shift in the global education map, with long-term consequences for both American universities and its labour market.
