Students from India and China aspiring to pursue higher education in the United States have received an unexpected shock, with the number of F-1 student visas issued by the US in 2025 dropping sharply. According to a recent report released by the Washington-based Center for Immigration Studies, there has been a significant decline in student visas issued to applicants from India and China. The report warned that this decline could have ripple effects on American universities, the US job market, and even national security.
Students from India and China together account for more than half of all foreign students enrolled in US higher education institutions. During the 2024-25 academic year, the United States hosted a total of 11.77 lakh foreign students, of whom 3.63 lakh were from India and 2.65 lakh from China. The US typically issues the highest volume of student visas each year between May and August.
However, the number of F-1 visas issued to Indian students during the May-August period of 2025 fell by as much as 60 percent, dropping to 22,149. By comparison, an average of 55,717 visas were issued during the same period between 2017-19 and 2021-24, while 58,694 were issued in 2024 alone. This year’s figure marks a sharp decline from those levels. Visas issued to Chinese students also saw a 46 percent cut, with only 40,034 visas granted this time.
This reduction in visas is expected to have a serious impact on the US Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, which allows foreign students to remain in the United States and work after completing their studies. Currently, Indian and Chinese nationals account for 70 percent of those employed in the US through OPT. Indian students, in particular, form the largest group among foreign professionals working in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields. The report cautioned that the decline in student visas could, going forward, lead to a shortage of foreign talent in the US IT and technology sectors.