A recent report has revealed significant disparities in US student visa rejection rates across countries, highlighting growing challenges for applicants from the Global South. India recorded a rejection rate of 61%, while neighbouring Pakistan stood at 71%. Bangladesh reported 73%, whereas Nepal and Afghanistan registered the highest rejection rate at 81%, underscoring widening barriers for students seeking higher education in the United States.
The data indicates a broader regional trend across Asia, where visa rejection rates have steadily increased over the past decade. In 2015, Asia’s rejection rate stood at 30%, which rose to 40% by 2020 and further to 41% in 2025. This persistent upward trend reflects increasing scrutiny in visa processing and growing uncertainty among students aspiring to pursue education abroad.
On a global scale, the report shows a continued rise in student visa rejections. The worldwide rejection rate increased from 31% in 2024 to 35% in 2025, marking the highest level in the past ten years, according to official data cited in the report. The findings suggest that nearly one in three international applicants is now facing visa denial, making it a major concern in global education mobility.
India-specific figures show a sharp rise in rejection rates over the last three years. The rate increased from 36% in 2023 to 53% in 2024 and further climbed to 61% in 2025. This steep rise highlights a growing challenge for Indian students aspiring to study in the US, amid tightening visa scrutiny and evolving immigration policies.
The report also notes a decline in the number of Indian students in the United States. The student population fell from 3,78,787 in February 2025 to 3,52,644 in February 2026. Experts suggest that rising rejection rates, combined with policy shifts, are impacting student mobility trends and could have long-term implications for international education and university enrolments.