The dream of studying in America has become challenging for Indian students. Since January 2025, with Donald Trump sweeping back into the White House, acquiring an F1 student visa has become exceedingly difficult for Indian students. According to
, there's been a significant drop in F1 visas issued to Indian students.
Decline in Visa Issuances
In the U.S. fiscal year of 2024 (from October 1 to September 30), Indian students received 86,067 F1 visas, which is 34% less compared to the previous year. In the first six months of 2025 (January-May), this decline worsened with only 11,484 visas issued, a 29% decrease from the 16,105 issued in the previous year. Meanwhile, neighboring Pakistan, with whom relations are tense, saw a 28% increase in student visas. In contrast, China—one of India's competitors in sending students to the U.S.—experienced only an 8% drop. These shifts reflect not just statistical changes but significant policy adjustments as well.
Trump's Stringent Policies
Resembling his first term, Trump has once again tightened visa regulations. In May 2025, U.S. embassies were instructed to halt student visa appointments and thoroughly scrutinize social media profiles. According to Open Doors data, over 1.1 million international students were enrolled in U.S. colleges and universities during 2023-2024, with over 330,000 of them being Indian—meaning one in every three students hailed from India. Yet, Trump's new restrictions pose fresh challenges for Indian students.
Pre-existing Challenges
Even before Trump's new policies, enrollment for foreign students in the U.S. was declining. In 2024, 41% of student visa applications were rejected—the highest denial rate in the past decade, as indicated by
Impact of India-U.S. Tensions
The escalating tension between Washington and New Delhi only compounds these issues. Recently, the Trump administration threatened to hike retaliatory tariffs on Indian exports from 25% to 50%, whereas Pakistan faces a mere 19% tariff.
Social Media Scrutiny
In July 2025, the U.S. State Department enforced a new regulation requiring all student and exchange visa applicants to publicize their social media profiles. Non-compliance can render the applicant's intentions suspicious, heightening the risk of visa rejection.
, a digital rights group, criticized this move as an invasion of privacy and an extension of governmental oversight.
Challenges for Indian Students
For Indian students, the American dream of studying is now ensnared within bureaucratic procedures and diplomatic tensions. Priyanshu (name changed), a student from Delhi, shares his experience saying, “I got accepted into a university in California, but my visa was rejected. Now I'm considering Canada or Australia.”
