Decline in New International Student Enrolments in the United States (2025–26)

Context:

• The United States has witnessed a sharp decline in new international student enrolments in the 2025–26 academic year, as highlighted by a recent survey.

• The downturn is largely attributed to visa-related challenges, with Indian students, the largest international cohort, being significantly affected.

• This trend has implications for India–US people-to-people ties, educational mobility, and global talent flows.

Key Highlights:

Survey Findings and Trends

• New international student enrolments in US universities fell by 17% in 2025–26.

• 57% of US higher education institutions reported a decline in new international admissions.

• 96% of institutions experiencing a drop cited visa application concerns as the primary reason.

• Despite the fall in new enrolments, the total number of international students in the US rose by 5% in 2024–25, reaching 11,77,766, indicating retention of existing cohorts.

Impact on Indian Students

• Indian students accounted for 31% of total international students in the US in 2024–25, making them the largest foreign student group.

• Enrolment declines among Indian students had a disproportionate impact on overall figures.

• There was a 33.2% decline in ‘F’ category student visas issued to Indian students between FY 2023 and FY 2024.

• Key US states hosting Indian students include:

  • Texas

  • New York

  • Massachusetts

  • California

  • Illinois

Visa and Policy-Related Challenges

• Major issues affecting enrolments include:

  • Visa processing delays

  • Temporary pauses in visa issuance

  • Increased visa denials

• These factors disrupted students’ ability to commence studies on time, reducing new admissions.

Trends among Other International Students

• Chinese students, the second-largest cohort:

  • Accounted for 22.6% of international students in 2024–25

  • Saw a 4% decline compared to 2023–24

• This reflects a broader shift in global student mobility patterns.

Role of Optional Practical Training (OPT)

• OPT remains a crucial attraction for international students:

  • 92% of US institutions believe students would choose other countries if OPT was unavailable

• OPT strengthens the US position in the global competition for skilled talent.

UPSC Relevance (GS-wise):

• GS Paper 2 (International Relations):

  • People-to-people relations between India and the US

  • Education as a soft power and diplomatic tool

  • Migration and mobility issues

• GS Paper 2 (Polity):

  • Visa regimes and immigration policies

  • Rights and opportunities of Indian students abroad

• Prelims:

  • OPT

  • F-category student visas

  • International student enrolment trends