Drop in Indian students leads to 17% decline in US international enrolments amid visa restrictions - India Today
The number of Indian students heading to the United States has fallen this year, largely because of visa processing delays and uncertainty around travel rules. Many applicants reported long waiting periods for interview slots, last-minute cancellations, and stricter documentation checks. These issues have made students reconsider their study plans, especially those enrolling in graduate and technical programs that typically see high demand from India. Education advisers say the dip is unusual, considering the strong preference Indian students generally have for American universities. Families are now exploring alternative destinations such as Canada, the UK, Australia, and European countries, where processing has been quicker and admission timelines more predictable. The slowdown in US student inflow is also affecting universities that rely heavily on international enrolments for research funding and campus diversity. Experts believe that unless the visa backlog and travel uncertainties improve, the trend may continue into the next academic cycle.
The Key points
- Indian student enrolments in the US have declined this year.
- Visa interview delays are a major reason for the drop.
- Travel restrictions created added uncertainty for applicants.
- Students faced long waiting times and sudden appointment changes.
- Graduate and STEM programs saw the most noticeable impact.
- Many families are shifting focus to alternative study destinations.
- Canada, the UK, and Australia gained more attention from applicants.
- US universities are concerned about reduced international intake.
- Education advisers expect the trend to continue if delays persist.
- Students seek countries offering faster, predictable visa processing.
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