US Visa Rejection Rate Soar To Decade High; 41% Students Denied Applications In Last Fiscal Year

In the last fiscal, between October 2023 and September 2024, student visa denials by the US surged to a decade high. As per reports, around 41% of F-1 visa applications from all over the world were denied during this time. The US received a total of 6.79 lakh applications from foreign students for F-1 visas, and 2.79 lakh were denied.

US Student Visa Denials At A Decade High

The US, one of the most sought-after destinations for academics, offers F-1 visas to international students. It is a non-immigrant category of visa for students attending academic institutions in the US. According to The Indian Express, the US denied more than 40% of student visa applications in the last fiscal year.

In 2022-23, the US received 6.99 lakh student visa applications, of which 2.53 lakh applications (36%) were turned down. Reportedly, the 2023-24 numbers are almost double the rejection rate of the 2014 fiscal year. A total of 4.01 lakh F-1 student visas were issued by the US in 2023-24, down from 4.45 lakh the previous year.

While talking to The Indian Express, a Department of State spokesperson said that all visa adjudications are adjudicated on a case-by-case basis. The acceptance or rejection of any student visa for the US is taken with the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) and applicable federal regulations in mind.

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How Things Changed Over The Last 10 Years

The Indian Express found that the percentage of student visa denials increased even as the absolute number of applications from across all countries dipped over the last decade. In the last 10 years, the total number of F-1 visa applications peaked at 8.56 lakh in 2014-15.

However, it saw a steady decline in the next few years. In 2019-20, the peak COVID-19 year, it hit a low of 1.62 lakh. Post-COVID, the number of applications has steadily increased. Although, there was a 3% decrease in 2023-24 — from 6.99 lakh in 2022-23 to 6.79 lakh in 2023-24.

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It is to be noted that the concerned department has not shared data on the country-wise refusal rate for F1 visas by the US.

Cover Image Courtesy: Canva (representative image)