Many Indian students dream of studying in the United States because of its quality education and better career opportunities. But it’s not that easy. You have to face many challenges, and we’re not talking about getting higher marks. We’re talking about stricter visa checks, rising costs and uncertainty around post-study work options. Now, the US is witnessing a fall in arrivals from India on student visas. Scroll down to know more!
How Many Fewer Indian Students Are Going To The US?
The US has recently witnessed a sharp decline in Indian student arrivals, with numbers falling by 39%. Hindustan Times reported that according to the US Commerce Department’s International Trade Administration (ITA), 25,321 arrivals from India on F and M category student visas were recorded in August 2026. This was 39% lower than the 41,540 arrivals recorded in August 2025. It was the lowest August figure since 2020. The pandemic restrictions limited arrivals to just 2,908.
The number of Indian student arrivals in the US in August has been falling for three consecutive years. In August 2024, arrivals fell by 20.3%, followed by a bigger drop of 44.5% in August 2025. In August 2026, the number was 73% lower than the peak of 93,833 arrivals recorded in August 2023.
Also Read: Why Is France Changing Its Visa Rules For Indian Students? Will Visa Process Get Easier?
Why Are Indian Student Arrivals Decreasing?
Fewer Indian students are now planning to study in the US because of stricter immigration rules. Since June 18, 2025, students applying for US student visas have had to make their social media profiles public so officials can check them during the visa process. As per Hindustan Times report, in June and July 2025, the US issued 12,776 F-1 student visas to Indians, compared to 41,336 during the same months in 2024. This was a drop of 69.1%.
The visa rejection rate for Indian applicants also increased from 36% in 2023 to 61% in 2025. The decline in numbers continued in 2026 too. In 2026, student visa arrivals dropped by 17.3% in June and 30.6% in July compared to the same months in 2025. Although arrivals increased by 5% in September 2026, reaching 12,285, they were still 37.5% lower than in September 2025.
Indian students are also worried about their job opportunities after completing their studies in the US. On October 8, the US government proposed a fee of ₹66,45,037 ($70,000) for the first period of Optional Practical Training (OPT) and ₹28,47,867 ($30,000) for each later period. OPT allows international students to work in their field during or after their studies.
The US government also wanted to change the rule that allows students to stay in the country for the duration of their studies. Under the proposed rule, students would get permission to stay for a fixed period of up to four years. However, a federal court in Massachusetts blocked this rule on September 14, and the US government has appealed the decision.
What influence your decision of studying abroad? Tell us in the comments below!
Also Read: Indian Passport Climbs To 84th Rank, But Visa-Free Destinations Drop To 55
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FAQs
What is the capital of US?
The capital of the United States is Washington, D.C.
How many states are there in US?
The United States of America has 50 states.
What is the largest city in America?
New York City is the largest city in America.
