The number of US student visas issued to Indian students has fallen sharply in 2025, according to a report by the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS). Experts say this decline could affect the number of international students studying in the United States and may also impact the country’s future workforce, especially in science and technology fields.
Indian and Chinese students continue to be the two largest groups of international students in the US. According to data from the Institute of International Education (IIE), around 363,019 Indian students and 265,919 Chinese students were studying at US colleges and universities during the 2024–25 academic year. Together, students from the two countries made up 53% of all international students in the United States.
The CIS report examined the number of F-1 student visas issued between May and August each year from 2017 to 2025, excluding 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This four-month period is important because most students receive their visas before the new academic year begins.
According to the report, only 22,149 F-1 visas were issued to Indian students during this period in 2025. This represents a 62% decline compared to 2024 and is about 60% lower than the average number of visas issued in previous years. The sharp drop has raised concerns among universities and education experts.
Chinese students also experienced a decline in visa approvals. The report said 40,034 F-1 visas were issued to Chinese students in 2025, compared with 61,075 visas in 2024. Although the decrease was not as large as the one seen among Indian students, it still represents a significant fall.
Experts believe that fewer student visas could reduce international student enrollment at US universities. International students contribute to campus diversity, academic research, and the economy through tuition fees and living expenses. Many universities also depend on international students, particularly in graduate and research programmes.
The report also discussed the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme, which allows international students to work in the United States after completing their studies. Many Indian and Chinese graduates use the OPT programme to gain professional experience, especially in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields.
A decline in student visas could also reduce the number of skilled graduates entering the US workforce through the OPT programme. This may affect industries that rely on highly qualified international talent, including technology, engineering, healthcare, and research.
While the report highlights a significant fall in visa issuances, the exact reasons behind the decline were not fully explained. Education experts say they will continue to monitor the trend to understand its long-term impact on students, universities, and the US economy. The coming academic years will show whether the decline is temporary or part of a larger change in international student mobility.