Record outflow of Indian students in mid-term study shift: Visa delays and job hurdles prompt nearly 30,000...

A record number of Indian students are leaving U.S. universities before completing their degrees, driven by visa processing delays and difficulties securing employment after graduation. The trend has affected nearly 30,000 students, according to recent data.

The outflow represents a mid-term shift in study plans, with many students opting to return to India or move to other countries with more favorable immigration policies. Consular backlogs for F-1 student visas have been cited as a primary factor, causing delays of several months for renewals and new applications.

Post-graduation work opportunities have also tightened, with fewer employers sponsoring H-1B visas and increased competition for Optional Practical Training (OPT) positions. Students in STEM fields, who previously benefited from extended OPT periods, are among those leaving.

The departures could have long-term implications for U.S. universities that rely on international student tuition and for the tech industry, which depends on Indian talent. Indian student enrollment had been growing steadily before this reversal.