Archive · 7 Aug 2026
US-India student visas fall 62%; think tank urges ending OPT
The United States gives out special permits called student visas so students from other countries can go to school there.
In 2025, the United States gave far fewer student visas to students from India than it did the year before — 62% fewer.
It also gave 34% fewer student visas to students from China.
This happened because the US government made it harder to get visas, by pausing interviews and checking applicants' social media more closely.
A research group called the Centre for Immigration Studies wrote a report about this.
The report says the United States should end a program called OPT, which lets international students work in America for a while after they finish their degrees.
The group says OPT takes jobs away from American students and workers.
Almost half of the students in the OPT program come from India, so ending it could affect many of them.
Some people think ending OPT protects American workers, while others say it would hurt thousands of international students trying to build their careers.
Education experts think many Indian students might choose to study in the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, or Australia instead.
US student visas issued to Indian nationals fell 62% in 2025 to 22,149, down from 58,694 in 2024, according to data analysed by the Centre for Immigration Studies.
Student visas issued to Chinese nationals fell 34% to 40,034 in 2025 from 61,075 in 2024; India and China together account for more than half of all foreign students at US universities.
A CIS report authored by George Fishman recommends scrapping the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme, arguing it disadvantages American graduates and workers.
Indian students made up about 49% (143,740) of the 294,253 OPT participants in 2024-25, followed by China at 21% (61,981).
The Trump administration paused student visa interviews worldwide, expanded social media vetting and increased scrutiny of applications; experts say Indian students may turn to the UK, Germany, Canada and Australia.
- Who
- Indian and Chinese students seeking US study visas; the Centre for Immigration Studies (CIS) and its senior legal fellow George Fishman, who authored the report; data reported by news agency PTI and the Institute of International Education.
- What
- US student visas issued to Indian nationals fell 62% in 2025, and a CIS report called for ending the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme.
- When
- 2025 compared with 2024, including the peak May-August 2025 visa season; the 2024-25 academic year for IIE enrolment and OPT data.
- Where
- United States (visa issuance to Indian and Chinese nationals), with India and China as the main source countries.
- Why
- The decline reflects stricter immigration and visa screening measures introduced under President Donald Trump's administration, including a temporary pause on student visa interviews and expanded social media vetting; CIS argues OPT harms American students' and workers' wages and employment.
Supporters of OPT and international students
Centre for Immigration Studies
Should the OPT programme be ended?
Supporters of OPT and international students
OPT is one of the most important post-study work pathways for Indian students, who make up nearly half of all participants; it lets them gain US work experience and improves their chances of securing an H-1B visa or long-term employment after graduation.
Centre for Immigration Studies
CIS senior legal fellow George Fishman advocates terminating OPT to protect the wages and employment opportunities of American students and workers; short of that, he argues reducing the OPT pipeline from India and China would lessen its harmful effects.
Impact of the falling student visa numbers
Supporters of OPT and international students
Education experts say stricter screening, uncertainty over post-study work and changing policies could push Indian students to the UK, Germany, Canada and Australia; universities relying on overseas enrolments could face financial pressure because Indian students contribute billions of dollars annually.
Centre for Immigration Studies
The sharp decline, reflecting the Trump administration's strict immigration measures affecting F-1 applicants, could be beneficial for American students.
- Indian student visas issued in 2025
- 22,149 (down 62% from 58,694 in 2024)
- Chinese student visas issued in 2025
- 40,034 (down 34% from 61,075 in 2024)
- OPT participants in 2024-25
- 294,253 total; 143,740 from India (49%); 61,981 from China (21%)
- Indian students in US (2024-25)
- 363,019
- Chinese students in US (2024-25)
- 265,919
- Total foreign students in US (2024-25)
- 1,177,766; India and China made up 53%
- OPT validity
- Up to 12 months; eligible STEM graduates can extend by 24 months (up to 36 months total)
- Report author
- George Fishman, senior legal fellow at the Centre for Immigration Studies
