Indians Drive Decline in US University Visa Approvals

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In August, the U.S. granted nearly 20% fewer student visas compared to the same period in 2024, reflecting a crackdown under President Donald Trump’s administration. Notably, India experienced the steepest decline, with visa issuance falling by 44.5%, overtaken by China as the leading source of international students.

The total number of student visas issued in August was 313,138, the peak month for U.S. university enrollments. While visas for Chinese students also declined, the decrease was less pronounced. A total of 86,647 visas were issued to students from mainland China, more than double the number granted to Indian students.

These figures do not account for the overall number of students studying in the U.S., as many hold visas issued previously and remain enrolled.

Since returning to the White House, Trump’s administration has prioritized restricting immigration and weakening university influence, which they view as a left-leaning stronghold. In June, Secretary of State Marco Rubio temporarily halted processing of student visas, also ordering U.S. embassies to scrutinize applicants’ social media profiles.

Rubio has also revoked thousands of student visas — often citing criticisms of Israel — justifying these actions by asserting the U.S. can deny entry to individuals opposing its foreign policy interests.

For Indian applicants, the Trump administration introduced tighter restrictions, making it more challenging to apply for visas outside U.S. consular jurisdictions, even when faced with processing backlogs.

Trump’s policies have generally been at odds with India, a nation long sought after by U.S. policymakers of both parties as a strategic counterbalance to China. He also increased fees for H-1B visas, predominantly utilized by Indian tech workers.

Conversely, Trump has expressed intentions to increase the number of Chinese students in the U.S., aiming to improve relations between the two countries. This stance sharply contrasts with Rubio’s previous vow to aggressively revoke visas from Chinese students accused of exploiting U.S. technology.

Additionally, the latest data indicate a significant drop in visas issued to students from many Muslim-majority nations, with visas from Iran falling by 86%.