WASHINGTON: The United States issued nearly 20 percent fewer student visas in August compared to the same month last year, marking a significant decline led by a sharp drop in approvals for Indian students.
According to data released by the International Trade Commission, the US issued 313,138 student visas in August — the peak month for university admissions — reflecting a 19.1 percent decrease from August 2024.
India, which had emerged as the largest source of international students in the United States last year, saw the most dramatic decline, with a 44.5 percent reduction in visa issuances compared to the previous year. In contrast, visa approvals for students from mainland China also fell but at a much slower pace.
The US issued 86,647 student visas to Chinese nationals in August, more than double the number granted to Indian applicants. This shift has once again placed China ahead of India as the top country of origin for foreign students in the United States.
The figures reflect a broader tightening of visa policies under President Donald Trump’s administration, which has made restricting immigration a central objective since returning to office.
The administration has also targeted universities, viewing them as centers of liberal influence. Secretary of State Marco Rubio temporarily suspended student visa processing in June — a key application month — while ordering US embassies to conduct enhanced social media vetting of applicants.
Thousands of visas have been revoked since, with officials citing posts critical of Israel as justification for denial under rules allowing the rejection of individuals deemed contrary to US foreign policy interests.
Additionally, new restrictions have made it harder for applicants, particularly Indians, to apply for visas outside the jurisdictions of consulates in their home countries. Trump has also imposed higher fees on H-1B visas, a move that primarily impacts Indian technology professionals.
Interestingly, Trump has simultaneously expressed a desire to increase the number of Chinese students as part of efforts to stabilize relations with Beijing — a stark contrast to previous rhetoric from Rubio, who had pledged to take a hard line against Chinese nationals studying in sensitive technical fields.
The latest statistics also show a steep decline in student visas issued to Muslim-majority nations, with Iran seeing an 86 percent drop in admissions.
