With the fall semester knocking on the door, US universities are gearing up for their annual influx of fresh faces. But this year, the expected number of Indian students is significantly lower, with tens of thousands fewer applicants preparing to join campuses amid stricter visa policies.
Indian Student Arrivals In US See Sharp Decline
According to Times Now, data shared by Hyderabad-based overseas education consultants reveals a 70% drop in Indian student departures to the US for the 2025 fall session. The biggest cause for this is the inability to get a visa appointment. Sanjeev Rai, an official of Hyderabad Overseas Consultant, told The Times of India that students are glued to their screens perpetually as they wait for the visa portals to refresh every hour. He also added that by this time, students are usually done with their visa interviews and are making travel accommodations every year.
This decline marks a sharp deviation from previous years, when Indian students consistently represented one of the largest international student groups in the United States. The reduced numbers are now prompting concerns among universities that rely heavily on this demographic for both academic diversity and financial contributions.
Also Read: New US Visa Policy Requires Students To Make Social Media Profiles Public For Screening
Tightened Visa Policies
This backlog in Indian students may be because the US has tightened its visa screening process since early 2025. The State Department released a broad assurance about releasing student visa appointments in phases, but for many, the “phases” haven’t translated into actual access.
Adding to the growing unease is the spike in refusals under Section 214B of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act. This is a clause often invoked when applicants can’t convince officials that they’ll return home post-study. For Indian students, this has become a high-stakes grey area. What’s unusual this year isn’t just the volume of applicants or delays, but the sheer unpredictability. Some students with solid academic records and financial backing are stuck in limbo, while others, despite early applications, are yet to hear anything concrete.
Also Read: USA’s Famous Sandwich Chain, Jimmy Johns Has Finally Landed Here In Dubai!
As uncertainty drags on, students are beginning to make quick, decisive shifts. Countries like the UK, Australia, Ireland, and New Zealand are also being considered now. Consultants report a growing number of reapplications as students abandon the US route altogether.
Cover Image Courtesy: paseidon/CanvaPro