WASHINGTON, Aug 25: The number of Indian students applying for undergraduate admission to US colleges declined by 15 per cent in 2025-26 compared with the previous year, amid tightening immigration policies and uncertainty over visa rules, according to a report.
The report by Common App, which represents more than 1,100 institutions, said overall undergraduate applications for the 2026-27 academic year increased. However, international applications through March 1 fell by 10 per cent, marking the steepest decline recorded.
Applicants from India, the largest source of international students in the US, declined by 15 per cent, the report said.
More than 3.63 lakh Indian students enrolled in various courses in the US during the 2024-25 academic year, making India the largest source of international students in the country.
International students contributed an estimated USD 41.77 billion to the US local economy during the 2025-26 academic year. The figure is projected to fall to USD 38.37 billion in 2026-27, according to the report.
A separate report by NAFSA: Association of International Educators and research firm JB International estimated international student enrolments at 11.69 lakh in 2025-26, down to around 10.57 lakh this year.
The decline comes amid tighter US immigration policies and uncertainty surrounding student visas. Earlier, an educators’ organisation warned that stricter visa rules could result in up to 1.1 lakh fewer international student enrolments at US colleges and universities in Fall 2026.
In July, the US government announced changes to student and visitor visas, replacing the traditional “duration of status” system with a maximum stay of four years, generally matching the length of an academic programme.
The US is also considering imposing a USD 100,000 fee on foreign students seeking to use the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme after graduation.
OPT allows international students on US student visas to work for 12 months, or up to 24 months in certain fields, after completing their studies. It also provides a potential pathway towards employer-sponsored H-1B visas.
The H-1B programme enables US companies to employ foreign workers in specialised occupations requiring technical or theoretical expertise and is widely used by technology firms to hire skilled professionals from countries including India and China.
