US Sees 15% Drop In Indian Student Numbers Amid Tighter Trump Visa Rules

The number of Indian students applying to US colleges has reportedly declined by 15% in 2025-26 compared with the same period a year earlier, amid tighter immigration rules and uncertainty over policies under the Donald Trump administration.

According to a report cited in the copy, applications from India — one of the largest sources of international students for the US — have fallen 15%.

3.63 lakh Indian students studied in US

During the 2024-25 academic year, around 3.63 lakh Indian students were enrolled in various courses across the United States.

Indian students also made a significant contribution to the US economy. According to the report, they contributed around $41.77 billion (₹3.54 lakh crore) to the US economy during the spring of 2025.

That contribution is projected to fall to around $38.37 billion (₹3.25 lakh crore) in 2026-27 — a decline of approximately $3.4 billion (₹28,800 crore).

INR conversion is approximate and based on $1 ≈ ₹84.7.

International student numbers also decline

The report said applications for the 2026-27 academic year initially showed growth across more than 1,100 institutions represented by Common App. However, the overall number of international students has declined by around 10% since March, reportedly marking the biggest decline so far.

A separate report by NAFSA: Association of International Educators and JB International reportedly found that international student enrolment stood at around 11.69 lakh in spring 2025-26, with concerns growing over the impact of tighter visa rules and policy uncertainty.

Stricter visa rules add to concerns

The Trump administration has introduced or proposed several measures affecting international students.

The report said the US government has introduced a four-year limit on student visas, which is generally considered the normal duration for completing many undergraduate programmes.

There are also concerns over possible changes to the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme. OPT allows international students who graduate in the US to work for up to 12 months, with eligible STEM students potentially receiving an additional 24 months.

The report said the US is considering imposing a $100,000 (₹84.7 lakh) fee on foreign students seeking to participate in OPT.

These policy changes, along with stricter immigration rules and uncertainty over future visa policies, could further influence the number of Indian students choosing the US for higher education.