Indians students received 44.5% fewer visas year-on-year in the first year under the Trump adminsitration’s second term at the White House. With this, China has effectively dethroned India as the top source of foreign students to the US.
The US overall issued 313,138 student visas in August, which is a 19.1% drop from the same month last year, AFP reported citing the International Trade Administration. Of this, 86,647 visas went to students from mainland China in August which is more than twice the number issued to Indians.
In June, Secretary of State Marco Rubio briefly suspended processing of student visas in June and ordered US embassies to screen social media activities of visa applicants. AFP reported that the administration had revoked thousands of visas of students who were critical of Israel and related US policy.
This is not the first time that immigration policy under the Trump administration has hit India hard.
Just last month, US President Donald Trump on Friday (September 19) signed a proclamation raising H1-B visa fee to a staggering $100,000 annually. The move was expected to affect Indian professionals, who accounted for over 71% of H-1B approvals in FY24. This also drew rebuke from major US businesses and tech companies.
Last week, a coalition of business groups representing chipmakers, software companies and retailers sent a letter to Trump stating the fee hike threatens a crucial talent pipeline of foreign skilled workers and could leave critical jobs unfilled.
Bilateral ties between India and the US have soured significantly in the last few months. As far as trade is concerned, the US imposed a 50% reciprocal tariff on India–which came into effect on August 27–including a 25% penalty for purchasing Russian oil and defence equipment.
Also Read: $100,000 fee for H-1B visa is one-time requirement for new applicants only, US Official confirms to CNBC-TV18
First Published: Oct 8, 2025 2:15 PM IS
