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Indian student visas to US fell 62% in 2025; visas for Chinese fell only 34%
['Nischai Vats', 'Nischai Vats Is A Deputy Copy Editor At The Indian Express. His Work Primarily Covers Us Politics', 'Visa', 'Immigration Policy', 'Alongside Broader International Developments', 'With An Emphasis On Accuracy', 'Verification', 'Clear Explainers.', 'Experience', 'Nischai Joined The Indian Express In May Where He Works On Writing']
The Indian Express
US student visas issued to Indian nationals have plunged 62 per cent in 2025, according to a new report that also calls for scrapping the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme, arguing that it hurts American workers.
The proposal, if adopted, could affect thousands of Indian students hoping to work in the US after graduation.
Indian student visas to US fall 62% in 2025The United States immigration authorities issued 22,149 student visas to Indian nationals in 2025 as against 58,694 in 2024.
The report also highlighted a dip in student visas issued to China, with a 34 per cent decline to 40,034 in 2025, compared with 61,075 in 2024.
Fishman added, “But, short of that, reducing the OPT pipeline of foreign students from India and the PRC – who make up the majority of all OPT participants – will reduce the deleterious effects of OPT on American students and workers.”