US Student Visas for Indians See Significant Dip Amid Tighter Scrutiny
As the fall 2025 semester approaches, Indian students preparing to study in the US, United States are facing significant hurdles in obtaining their student visas. What is typically the busiest season for F-1 visa approvals — from March to July — has turned sluggish this year, with numbers dropping to their lowest levels since the post-pandemic recovery in 2022.
A Sharp Decline in Visa Issuance
Data from the US State Department reveals a concerning 27% drop in F-1 student visas issued to Indian nationals between March and May this year compared to 2024. Only 9,906 visas were granted during these months — lower even than the 10,894 visas issued in 2022, when international travel had just begun recovering from COVID-19 restrictions.
This sharp fall contrasts with recent years where Indian students have consistently formed one of the largest international student communities in the US. In 2023, 14,987 F-1 visas were issued between March and May; even in early 2024, the number stood at 13,478.
What’s Behind the Decline?
The decline is being attributed to stricter policies introduced under the Trump administration, which has resumed a more hardline stance on immigration and foreign student screening. Several Indian students have reportedly had their visas revoked due to participation in pro-Palestine demonstrations or due to past encounters with law enforcement.
In a further move, the US government suspended new student visa applications from May 27 to June 18 to strengthen security checks, including in-depth screening of applicants’ social media profiles. According to a report by Politico, consular officers were ordered to stop scheduling new student visa interviews during this period while social media checks were being evaluated for mandatory implementation.
The US Embassy in New Delhi responded by advising students applying under the F (academic), M (vocational), and J (exchange) visa categories to make their social media accounts public to avoid delays in processing.
A Broader Trend: 2024’s Overall Decline
This is not an isolated dip. The slowdown this year continues a larger downward trend in student visa issuance to Indians. According to data cited by The Indian Express, only 64,008 F-1 visas were issued to Indian students between January and September of 2024 — a sharp drop from 1.03 lakh in 2023 and 93,181 in 2022.
This fall in approvals comes despite a rising demand from Indian students, who now outnumber Chinese students in US higher education institutions, as per Open Doors 2024. The increase in applications has not been met with equivalent support in visa facilitation, partly due to administrative delays and growing political scrutiny around foreign enrollment.
American Universities Are Feeling the Impact Too
US colleges and universities — many of which rely heavily on international tuition fees — are also grappling with financial constraints and increased federal oversight of international admissions. The visa slowdown is affecting their fall enrollments, especially at graduate schools and STEM programs where Indian students form a significant majority.
Some institutions have already reported students deferring or losing admission opportunities due to prolonged visa appointment delays or sudden revocations. This has sparked a wave of lawsuits from affected students and advocacy groups, alleging unfair treatment and lack of transparency in the review process.
Embassy’s Assurance: Apply Early, Be Prepared
In response to concerns, a US Embassy spokesperson acknowledged the delays but emphasized that visa processing remains a high national security priority.
“The adjudication of visa applications is critically important to the national security and public safety of the US. We advise applicants to apply as early as possible and to allow extra time for processing,” the official said.
The embassy added that it is now resuming F-category visa appointments, and encouraged students to regularly check the relevant consulate or embassy website for appointment availability.
“Daily efforts are being made to thoroughly screen visa applicants to ensure they have no intention of harming the United States or our interests, and that they are genuinely eligible for the requested visa,” the spokesperson added.
What Indian Students Should Do Now
For Indian students still hoping to make it to the US for the August/September semester, the advice is clear:
- Apply immediately if you haven’t already.
- Ensure all documents are in order — including a clean and transparent digital presence.
- Monitor your email and consulate websites closely for updates.
- Consult with your university to explore deferment options if delays persist.
While the pathway remains open, this year’s sluggish start underscores the importance of early preparation and awareness of evolving US visa policies.
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