The number of student visas allocated to Indian nationals has dropped significantly, with a reported decline of 62 per cent in 2025 compared to the previous year. This decline coincides with a broader reduction in visas granted to students from China, which experienced a 34 per cent fall. The Centre for Immigration Studies (CIS) released a report authored by senior legal fellow George Fishman, which highlighted these issues and called for the termination of the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme.

According to the report, Indian nationals were issued only 22,149 student visas in 2025, a stark contrast to the 58,694 visas granted in 2024. Similarly, the number of student visas for Chinese applicants decreased from 61,075 in 2024 to 40,034 in 2025. This shift in visa issuance is part of a larger trend affecting foreign students applying for educational opportunities in the United States.

Data from the Institute of International Education (IIE) indicated that during the 2024-25 academic year, Indian and Chinese students comprised 53 per cent of the total foreign student population, which includes 1,177,766 enrolments across post-secondary institutions. The IIE census found that 3,63,019 students were from India and 2,65,919 from China.

Growth of Optional Practical Training Participants

The report also noted a significant presence of foreign students working in the US under the OPT programme, which permits students to work in their field of study after completing their degrees. In the 2024-25 academic year, approximately 294,253 foreign students, a quarter of all international students, were reportedly engaged in OPT. Of those, a substantial 49 per cent, or 1,43,740, were Indian students, while 21 per cent, or 61,981, were from China.

Fishman argued that the OPT programme has negatively impacted American students and workers by potentially undermining their employment opportunities. He has advocated for the programme’s termination to safeguard the interests of local job seekers and restore legislative intentions. The report suggests that reducing the OPT pipeline, particularly for students from India and China, could mitigate adverse effects on American employment sectors.

The CIS report examined the issuance of F-1 student visas primarily during the crucial May to August period, when most visas are typically granted in anticipation of the academic year. The analysis revealed that 77 per cent of F-1 visas for Indian nationals and 76 per cent for Chinese nationals were issued during these months in 2024. This trend highlights the connection between visa issuance patterns and the substantial representation of Indian and Chinese students in US higher education and the accompanying OPT workforce.

Implications for Future Visa Policies

The decline in student visas for Indian and Chinese nationals raises significant questions about future US immigration policies as they pertain to educational opportunities for international students. The CIS report indicates that the reduction in visa issuance may be linked to concerns surrounding the high concentration of foreign students from these two countries in American universities and subsequent work programmes.

As international student enrolments continue to be a topic of discussion, changes to visa regulations and the OPT programme could shape the experience of foreign students seeking to study and work in the US. The recommendations put forth by Fishman and supported by the CIS report reflect ongoing debates about how best to maintain a balance between domestic employment opportunities and international educational collaboration.

The conversation around these policies will likely continue to evolve as stakeholders assess their implications for both local and international communities. The outcomes of these discussions may significantly influence the future landscape of student mobility and employment in the United States.

Long or Short, get news the way you like. No ads. No redirections. Download Newspin and Stay Alert, The CSR Journal Mobile app, for fast, crisp, clean updates!

App Store –  https://apps.apple.com/in/app/newspin/id6746449540 

Google Play Store – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.inventifweb.newspin&pcampaignid=web_share