Indians craze for US visas: Declining Trend!

The Indian population flying to the U.S. for higher studies has been on a rise. However, the United States is seeing a big drop in the number of Indian students arriving for higher studies. According to recent reports, student arrivals from India fell by almost 46% in July 2025 compared to July 2024.

In August 2025, the decline was about 44%, with arrivals dropping from nearly 75,000 last year to just over 41,000 this year.

Experts say many reasons are behind this sharp decline. The main issue is the stricter immigration policies under the current U.S. government. Students are worried about their future opportunities, especially with possible restrictions on the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, which allows them to work in the U.S. after graduation.

There are also proposals to change the H-1B visa system to favor senior professionals over fresh graduates.

Another major concern is the sharp increase in visa-related costs. Reports suggest the fee for H-1B visas could rise from $215 to nearly $100,000, making it too expensive for many students and their families. On top of this, tougher visa interviews and stricter background checks are creating more hurdles.

Because of these challenges, many Indian students are now considering other destinations like Canada, the UK, and Australia, which are seen as more welcoming. If this trend continues, U.S. universities could lose both talent and revenue.