Indian Student Enrollment in the US Declines by Nearly 7% Amid Stricter Visa Regulations
US sees 6.9% fall in Indian student numbers as visa rules tighten: Govt to RS
The Indian Express
Image: The Indian Express
The number of Indian students studying in the United States has decreased by 6.9%, dropping from 378,787 to 352,644 between February 2025 and February 2026. This decline is attributed to increased scrutiny and compliance requirements in US visa policies, according to the Indian government.
- 01Indian student enrollment in the US fell by 6.9% over the past year.
- 02The total number of Indian students decreased from 378,787 to 352,644.
- 03Stricter visa regulations and compliance checks are the main reasons for the decline.
- 04F-1 visa issuances to Indian students dropped by 69% during June-July 2025 compared to 2024.
- 05The Indian government is raising concerns with US authorities regarding student mobility.
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The Indian government reported a 6.9% decline in the number of Indian students studying in the United States, with figures falling from 378,787 in February 2025 to 352,644 in February 2026. Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh attributed this drop to heightened scrutiny and compliance requirements imposed by the US administration, which has introduced new guidelines for student visa applicants. These guidelines include extensive vetting, including checks on applicants' online presence and social media activity. The US government has emphasized that obtaining a visa is a privilege, warning that violations could lead to visa revocation and deportation. Furthermore, F-1 visa issuances to Indian students saw a significant 69% decrease during June-July 2025 compared to the previous year, with numbers dropping from 72,027 in 2023 to 41,336 in 2024. Despite recognizing the US's sovereign right to set visa policies, Singh noted that the Indian government is actively addressing these concerns with American authorities to facilitate secure student mobility.
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The decline in Indian students pursuing education in the US may affect future educational and professional opportunities for students, as well as impact the Indian economy reliant on remittances from abroad.
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