Washington: International student applications from India to US universities for undergraduate courses dropped 15% in the 2025-26 applications cycle, one of the sharpest country-specific drops recorded in a report by non-profit organisation CommonApp. The report was shared on social media platform X by an official account run by the Trump White House, which explicitly linked the fall in applications to “tighter U.S. visa policies”. The trend marks a reversal from years of steady increases from Indian applicants and is part of a broader 10% drop in international applications for US undergraduate programs.
Other recent surveys have also captured declining interest in studying abroad in America among Indian students. A report released in July this year by the Institute For International Education - which works closely with the US State Department - found that a solid majority of US universities expected a decline in enrollment from Indian students for the coming academic year.
“The most pronounced decreases are reported for India, with only 39% of institutions indicating stable or increased application numbers. This is notable given that students from India made up nearly one-third (31%) of all international students in the United States in 2024/25, as of the most recent Open Doors 2025 report,” reads IIE’s Spring 2026 snapshot report.
Deep Dive
What are the reasons behind the 15% drop in Indian applications to US colleges for the 2025-26 cycle?
How do the new US visa policies affect Indian students transitioning from study to work?
What potential costs should Indian students consider when applying for H-1B visas?
Also Read: US plans to hike H-1B visa fee over $100,000, moves to make it permanent; Indians may face impact
This decline coincides with a sharp tightening of student visa policies in the United States, implemented by the Trump administration. In July, the Trump administration ended the “duration of status” visa provision which allowed foreign students to stay in America legally for an unspecified period so long as they maintained their legal student status. US immigration agencies will now provide fixed end dates to student and exchange visitor visas.
{{/usCountry}}This decline coincides with a sharp tightening of student visa policies in the United States, implemented by the Trump administration. In July, the Trump administration ended the “duration of status” visa provision which allowed foreign students to stay in America legally for an unspecified period so long as they maintained their legal student status. US immigration agencies will now provide fixed end dates to student and exchange visitor visas.
{{/usCountry}}Students who wish to stay on beyond the mandated 4-years will have to file paperwork with US Citizenship and Immigration Services. In addition, foreign students will receive only 30 days - down from 60 days - to transfer schools, change status or depart the US. More worryingly, recent reports in the US media indicate that the Trump administration is considering imposing a $100,000 fee on foreign students who wish to use the Optional Practical Training program to work in the United States after their graduation.