Fewer Indian students are heading to the United States in 2025, even as the US is witnessing a more diverse mix of international students. New data from the US Department of State reveals a major shift in student inflows, with overall numbers dipping but participation from emerging regions like Zimbabwe, Vietnam, and Pakistan rising significantly.
Between October 2024 and March 2025, the US issued nearly 89,000 F-1 student visas worldwide — a 15% drop compared to the same period the previous year, according to a report by ApplyBoard. The steepest decline came from India, where visa approvals fell by 44%. Despite this, India still remains the largest source of international students in the US, accounting for 14,700 F-1 visas during the period.
China followed with 11,000 visas, maintaining a stable trend. However, the biggest change has been the increasing share of students from non-traditional markets.
Visa growth in countries like Zimbabwe and Vietnam points to a broadening interest in US higher education. Analysts attribute the drop in Indian student visas to a mix of factors including administrative delays, tougher vetting processes, longer processing times, fewer appointment slots, and new social media screening protocols introduced in mid-2025. A temporary freeze on fresh appointments further slowed approvals.
This slowdown isn’t unique to the United States. Indian student visa applications also declined in Australia by 20%, while Canada reported a sharp 57% fall in study permit approvals in 2024 — signaling a cautious approach among Indian students amid global policy changes.
While overall volumes have dipped, the US is undergoing a structural shift in its international student landscape, with a more geographically diverse pool of students filling the gap.
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