Indian Students Get Only 22,149 US F-1 Visas in Peak Months

The U.S. State Department data shows that between May and August 2025, Indian nationals received 22,149 F-1 visas, compared with 58,694 in the same period last year. The drop is the steepest year-over-year decline for the peak application season in recent memory.

U.S. consular officers have intensified security checks and document verification for student applicants, particularly those from India, according to immigration attorneys tracking the trend. The stricter scrutiny has led to longer wait times and more denials, even for candidates with admission to top-tier universities.

Policy changes have also played a role. The Biden administration's recent restrictions on Optional Practical Training (OPT) and H-1B pathways have made U.S. education less attractive to Indian students, who often rely on these work-authorization programs to recoup tuition costs. Several Indian applicants have deferred enrollment or chosen other countries like Canada and the UK as alternatives.

The decline comes as U.S. universities, which depend heavily on international student tuition, face financial strain. Many institutions have reported lower enrollment from India, and some are scrambling to recruit from other markets to offset the loss.

Indian students remain the second-largest group of international students in the U.S., but the visa slump signals a potential shift in long-term trends. Education consultants advise prospective students to apply earlier and prepare for additional documentation to navigate the stricter process.