US F-1 Visas For Indian Students Drop 69 Per Cent In Peak Months Ahead Of Fall Semester

The United States issued 69 percent fewer F-1 visas to Indian students in the peak months ahead of the fall semester compared to the same period last year, according to data from the US State Department.

Between April and June, the months when most student visa applications are processed for the upcoming academic year, US consulates in India approved significantly fewer visas. The sharp decline has raised concerns among prospective students and educational institutions.

The drop comes amid ongoing delays and backlogs in visa processing at US consulates in India, which have struggled to keep pace with demand since the pandemic. Many students have reported long wait times for interview appointments.

Indian students represent the second-largest group of international students in the United States, after China. The reduction in visa issuances could affect enrollment numbers at US universities that rely on international student tuition.

The State Department has not commented on the specific reasons for the decline, but officials have previously cited staffing shortages and increased security checks as factors contributing to processing delays.