India and China Responsible for 60% of US Student Visa Decline in May 2025
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The United States has seen a significant year-on-year decline in international student visa issuance, with India and China accounting for nearly 60% of the drop in F-1 visas issued in May 2025, according to data reported.
India witnessed a dramatic 41% drop, with only 6,984 F-1 visas granted in May 2025 compared to 11,829 during the same period last year. China also saw a 15.2% decline, dropping from 16,987 visas in May 2024 to 14,409 in May 2025. Together, the two Asian nations have traditionally been the largest source markets for international students in the US and contributed over half of the international student population in 2023–24.
The sharp fall in visa numbers coincides with several challenges, including a four-week suspension of new visa interviews starting May 27, SEVIS terminations, and geopolitical tensions, particularly affecting Chinese nationals. The disruption has intensified concerns over the US’s attractiveness as a study destination amid increasing scrutiny of student backgrounds and social media activity.
In the first half of 2025, the US issued fewer than 100,000 F-1 visas for the first time in four years. Indian students saw a 44% drop during this period, while Chinese students experienced a 24% decline.
Amid ongoing restrictions, China’s undergraduate market appears to be shifting towards countries like the United Kingdom, with a 10% rise in UCAS applications. Similarly, Indian students are reportedly facing visa processing delays, heightened vetting, and uncertainty over interview availability.
Despite these trends, experts in both India and China suggest this downturn may be temporary. Some US universities continue to engage strategically with Indian students, while many Chinese families are choosing to delay applications until there’s greater policy clarity.
Still, with rising tuition costs, political rhetoric, and policy unpredictability in the US, students in both countries are increasingly exploring alternative destinations.
Source: THE PIE NEWS
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