Applications from Indian students seeking undergraduate admission to US universities fell by 15% during the 2025-26 academic year compared to the previous year, according to a report from nonprofit Common App. The decline comes against a backdrop of tighter US immigration policies, shifting visa regulations, and growing concern over both the cost and long-term prospects of studying in the country.
A Decade's Biggest Drop
The Common App End-of-Season report, released on August 20, drew on data from 1,146 schools. Common App represents more than 1,100 higher education institutions across the US and 18 other countries, giving the report a fairly comprehensive view of application trends.
Overall, international applications recorded their sharpest decline in a decade. Applications from Asia, historically the largest source region for international applicants, fell by 11% year-over-year, with Common App attributing much of that drop specifically to a 15% fall in applications from India.
That matters significantly given India's historical role: according to the Institute of International Education, 3,63,019 Indian students were studying in the US during the 2024-25 academic year, with India and China together accounting for roughly 53% of all international students in the country during that period.
A Sharp Fall in Student Visas Too
The application decline mirrors an even steeper drop in actual student visas issued. Data cited from the Centre for Immigration Studies shows US authorities issued 22,149 student visas to Indian applicants in 2025, down from 58,694 in 2024, a decline of more than 60%.
India wasn't alone either. Applications from Africa fell 17% overall, with Ghana down 34%, Ethiopia 29%, and Nigeria 21%. Among the top 10 countries that typically send the most international applicants to US institutions, Kenya was the sole exception, actually recording a 29% increase.
A Genuinely Uncertain Immigration Environment
The shifting US immigration landscape has become a major factor shaping student decisions. Tighter immigration measures, evolving visa rules, and a proposed four-year cap on how long students can remain in the US after completing their programmes have all added real uncertainty for prospective applicants trying to plan years in advance.
Adding to that uncertainty, the US is also weighing a proposed $100,000 fee for foreign students seeking to use the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme to work after graduation. A fee at that scale could meaningfully alter the financial math for international students who have traditionally relied on post-study work opportunities both to gain professional experience and to help recover part of their education costs.
Cost Pressures Adding to the Hesitation
Currency movement is compounding the problem. Fluctuations in the rupee-dollar exchange rate have pushed up the overall financial burden tied to tuition, accommodation, and living expenses in the US, and for students from middle-income Indian households, these currency shifts can meaningfully affect the total cost of an entire degree. For families managing tuition payments and cross-border payments to US institutions over multiple years, exchange rate volatility adds a real layer of financial unpredictability on top of already-rising costs.
Unsurprisingly, this environment is creating an opening for other countries. European destinations, including France and Germany, have been actively stepping up efforts to attract international students through education and employment opportunities that increasingly look more predictable by comparison.
A Longer-Term Shift, Not Just a Temporary Dip
Experts point out that the growing presence of international branch campuses within India could further influence student decisions going forward. More students may choose to complete undergraduate education domestically, then consider the US specifically for postgraduate study later, once the immigration and economic picture becomes clearer.
If that pattern holds, this could represent more than a one-year blip. For US universities, fewer applicants from India and other major markets could genuinely affect enrolment strategies, while Indian students may increasingly weigh destinations based on tuition costs, visa certainty, employment opportunities, and long-term immigration prospects, rather than admission chances alone.
For Indian applicants and their families, the latest figures underscore why carefully evaluating visa policy and post-study work rules matters as much as, if not more than, admission itself. As immigration regulations continue to evolve, the overall financial and career value of a US degree is likely to weigh more heavily in these decisions than it has in the past.
FAQs
Q1. By how much have Indian student applications to US universities fallen?
By 15% during the 2025-26 academic year compared to the previous year, according to Common App.
Q2. How much have Indian student visa numbers declined?
US authorities issued 22,149 student visas to Indian applicants in 2025, down from 58,694 in 2024, a drop of more than 60%.
Q3. What US policy proposals are contributing to this decline?
A proposed four-year cap on post-graduation stay, along with a proposed $100,000 fee for foreign students using the OPT work programme after graduation.
Q4. Which countries might benefit from this shift?
European destinations like France and Germany are stepping up efforts to attract international students, while Kenya was notably the only major source country to see applications rise.