Student Visas For Indians Plummet To Post-Pandemic Low Amid Stricter U.S. Scrutiny

India-West News Desk

WASHINGTON, DC — The number of U.S. student visas issued to Indian nationals has dropped sharply in recent months, hitting its lowest level for the March–May period since the COVID-19 pandemic, according to newly released U.S. State Department data.

Only 9,906 F-1 (academic) visas were granted to Indian students between March and May 2025 — a steep 27% decline from the same period in 2024, when nearly 15,000 visas were issued. The figures also fall below the 10,894 visas granted in the same window in 2022, when global travel had only just begun recovering from pandemic-era disruptions.

This downturn comes during what is typically the busiest time for student visa processing, as thousands of Indian students prepare to start classes in the U.S. for the Fall semester.

While some have linked the sharp decline to President Donald Trump’s return to office earlier this year, the trend appears to have started earlier. In February 2025, the first full month of Trump’s presidency, F-1 visa issuance to Indian applicants fell 30% year-on-year — dropping to 411 from 590 in February 2024.

The U.S. Embassy in India acknowledged the slowdown, attributing delays to more rigorous vetting and security measures.

The Biden-to-Trump transition has also brought policy shifts. In June, the Trump administration directed U.S. consulates worldwide to pause new interviews for student and exchange visitor visas as part of broader updates to social media and security screening. The two-week halt was lifted this month, with consular services gradually resuming.

Despite the recent drop, the long-term trend remains positive. According to the U.S. State Department, Indian F-1 visa numbers grew steadily from around 42,000 in FY 2018 to 86,000 in FY 2024. In fact, Indian students overtook their Chinese counterparts in 2024 to become the largest international student group in the U.S., according to the Institute of International Education’s Open Doors Report.

Still, the drop from the 1.31 lakh student visas issued in 2023 and 1.15 lakh in 2022 suggests the current decline may be part of a broader slowdown — one likely influenced by shifting policies, increased scrutiny, and evolving international perceptions of the U.S. as a study destination.