Indian students reject US study over visa uncertainty

In a notable shift from previous years, Indian students are increasingly opting against higher studies in the United States, a significant change from a historical preference for the US as the top destination for study abroad.

Factors contributing to the trend this year include stricter policies by the administration of US President Donald Trump, complications related to the visa process, rising costs, and uncertainty regarding post-study work opportunities.

In 2024, the US welcomed over 1.1 million global students, with a sizable number from India, according to the Open Doors 2024 report on international educational exchange, published by the New York-based International Institute of Education.

However, the number of Indian students dipped from 234,500 in 2023 to 204,000 in 2024. The decline has accelerated sharply in 2025, with education consultants in India reporting a drop of 50% to 70% in Indian students opting for US institutions for upcoming autumn admissions.

“This decline is not just a matter of numbers. It reflects the anxiety and frustration of prospective students who are facing unprecedented challenges – including erratic visa slot availability, high rejection rates, and confusion surrounding appointment confirmations,” Sanjeev Rai of Hyderabad Overseas Consultants told University World News.

By now most students would have completed visa interviews and would be preparing for departure, but many were still seeking visa interview slots, he said.

Visa uncertainty

In 2025, obtaining an F-1 student visa has become a major challenge. Limited availability of visa interview slots at US embassies and consulates in India appears to have dissuaded many students, according to consultants. “Many Indian students are struggling to secure visa interview slots at the US Embassy,” Rai said.

Notably, there was a month-long pause on US visa interview appointments from 27 May to 26 June 2025, which affected prospective students globally and impacted an estimated 100,000 Indian students, based on the number who typically seek US visas during this peak period.

Even after the visa pause officially ended, the release of new slots has been inconsistent, with minimal communication from US immigration authorities, according to frustrated students and consultants.

Slots may not appear online or may vanish quickly without notice, students have reported.

“Despite completing their admissions processes, delays in scheduling appointments have disrupted their plans to pursue higher education in the US,” Rai said.

“As a result, a significant number of students are now dropping their plans to study in America and are exploring alternative options in European countries such as Germany, Ireland, and the Netherlands, where visa procedures are perceived to be smoother and more accessible.”

Visa rejection rates for Indians in 2025 are at their highest point in a decade, according to consultants.

Many students, including those with strong academic backgrounds and clean records, receive visa denials, which consultants said often cite Section 214(b) of the US Immigration and Nationality Act, requiring applicants to sufficiently demonstrate ties to their home country to back up their stated intention to return home after study in the US.

Greater scrutiny

Numerous students who scheduled visa interviews as early as March were unexpectedly denied, as an increasingly stringent visa application process requires more documentation and greater scrutiny – particularly the announcement by the US administration of scrutiny of social media accounts announced in late May.

Visa officials have been instructed to identify any signs of “hostility towards the citizens, culture, government, institutions, or founding principles of the United States”, according to the US State Department.

“The recent decline in the number of Indian students going to the United States can largely be attributed to symbolic visa slot openings that aren’t actually accessible to students. It doesn’t appear to be a capacity issue, (rather) the intent to open up appointments liberally just isn’t there,” said Sushil Sukhwani, owner and founding director of Indian study abroad consultancy Edwise International.

“Additionally, policy actions by the US administration around student compliance and even monitoring social media have cumulatively impacted student sentiment. These factors have steadily chipped away at the overall demand,” Sukhwani told University World News.

“Right now, the student segment is divided. Some booked early and managed to secure appointments. Another group is struggling, even resorting to questionable methods and agents to get slots. Then there’s a portion of students who are shifting to other destinations or deferring to the next semester,” he added.

Many students express that the unpredictability surrounding visa policies has led to significant stress and anxiety for those hoping to study abroad. Some feel disheartened and disillusioned.

Samay Jain from Faridabad, near Delhi, said: “The constant changes in visa policies, lack of clarity, and long waiting periods have affected my mental health. I’m now questioning whether pursuing education in the US is worth the risk and emotional strain,” prompting him to re-evaluate his plans.

Akanksha Chaurasia, a final-year graduate student from Delhi who was planning to study in the US said: “The policies during Trump’s administration have made it clear that Indian students are no longer welcomed as they once were.”

The ongoing challenges, including visa freezes, increased rejections, and rising fees, make studying in the US feel like a gamble many students can’t afford, she added.

Shift to other countries

Education consultants said Indian students were exploring alternative destinations. Countries such as Germany, Ireland, France, and New Zealand are becoming popular choices due to streamlined visa processes, lower tuition fees, and clearer post-study work opportunities.

Germany is particularly appealing for STEM students because of its low-cost education and robust research ecosystem. Ireland attracts those looking for shorter master’s programmes that come with guaranteed post-study work visas. These destinations are perceived as more student-friendly, financially feasible, and less bureaucratically complex.

An engineering aspirant from Hyderabad said: “I just couldn’t wait anymore. It felt like a dead end. I’ve now applied to a university in Germany where the process is clear and faster.”

He added: “Unless US policies are revised to restore trust and streamline the student visa process, the country risks losing its long-held position as the top destination for international education.”

According to data from India’s Ministry of External Affairs, over 116,000 Indian students were enrolled in European universities as of 1 January 2024, a figure expected to grow in 2025.

This shift does not indicate a decline in the global academic aspirations of Indian students, but rather a change in direction, education consultants said.

Post-study work opportunities

The high cost of studying in the US, including tuition fees, living expenses, travel, and other costs, has also become a key issue for middle-class Indian families, despite a slightly weaker dollar in mid-2025. But families also see the repayment of education loans as increasingly uncertain, especially with unpredictable employment prospects following graduation.

The US H-1B visa, once a key pathway for Indian students to work in the US after graduation, has seen tighter restrictions, longer processing times, and a rise in application rejections, according to reports from visa consultancies.

Under the ‘Buy American, Hire American’ initiative, many US companies are prioritising domestic candidates, which diminishes the chances of sponsorship for foreign graduates.