The number of Indian students applying for undergraduate admission to colleges in the United States has declined by 15 per cent in the 2025-26 cycle compared with the previous year, according to a new report, amid growing concerns over tighter immigration policies and uncertainty surrounding visa regulations.
The findings were highlighted in a report released by the Common App, a non-profit organisation representing more than 1,100 educational institutions. While the overall volume of undergraduate applications for the upcoming 2026-27 academic year increased, applications from international students showed a significant decline. Data recorded up to March 1 indicated that the number of international applicants had fallen by 10 per cent, marking the sharpest decline reported so far.
India, which remains the largest source of international students in the United States, witnessed a 15 per cent reduction in the number of applicants, according to the report. More than 3.63 lakh Indian students were enrolled in various courses in the US during the 2024-25 academic year, underlining the significant role Indian students continue to play in the country's higher education sector.
The decline in international student numbers could also have wider economic consequences. International students contributed an estimated USD 41.77 billion to the US economy during Fall 2025-26. However, this contribution is projected to decline to USD 38.37 billion in the 2026-27 academic year, reflecting concerns over a possible reduction in international enrolments.
Earlier projections by education sector organisations had also pointed towards a substantial fall in the number of international students enrolling at US colleges and universities. A report prepared by NAFSA: Association of International Educators and research firm JB International suggested that stricter visa regulations and continued policy uncertainty could result in as many as 1.1 lakh fewer international student registrations at American higher education institutions in Fall 2026.
According to the estimates cited in the report, international student registrations stood at around 11.69 lakh in Fall 2025-26. The number is projected to fall to approximately 10.57 lakh in the following academic year, signalling a significant decline in the international student population across US campuses.
Recent changes and proposed measures related to student visas and post-study employment opportunities have added to the uncertainty. In July, the US government announced new rules that would end the traditional "duration of status" system for student and visitor visas. Under the proposed framework, the duration of stay would be capped at four years, which broadly corresponds to the standard duration of many academic programmes.
Another proposal under consideration involves a USD 100,000 fee for foreign students seeking to use the Optional Practical Training, or OPT, programme to gain work experience in the United States after completing their studies. The programme currently allows eligible international students who enter the country on student visas to work for up to 12 months, with certain students eligible for extensions of up to 24 months.
OPT has also been an important pathway for many international graduates seeking employment opportunities in the US and potentially transitioning to employer-sponsored H-1B visas.
With changes to student visa rules, restrictions on the duration of stay and uncertainty over post-study work opportunities, concerns are growing that the US may become a less attractive destination for some prospective international students, including those from India.