VOI World/ Desk
The number of Indian students applying to US colleges has fallen by 15% in 2025-26 compared with the previous year, amid tightening immigration policies and growing uncertainty over student visa rules, according to a new report.
The report, released by the Common App and representing more than 1,100 institutions, found that while overall undergraduate application volumes for the 2026-27 academic year increased, international applicants through March 1 fell by 10% — the steepest decline on record.
India recorded a 15% fall in applicants, despite remaining the largest source of international students in the United States. More than 3.63 lakh Indian students were enrolled in US institutions during the 2024-25 academic year.
The decline comes as US immigration and visa policies have created greater uncertainty for prospective international students. A separate report had earlier warned that stricter visa rules and policy changes could result in up to 1.1 lakh fewer international student registrations at US colleges and universities in Fall 2026.
According to estimates by NAFSA: Association of International Educators and research firm JB International, international student registrations could fall from around 11.69 lakh in Fall 2025-26 to 10.57 lakh in the following academic year.
The Common App report also highlighted the potential economic impact of the decline. International students contributed an estimated $41.77 billion to local economies in Fall 2025-26, with that figure projected to fall to $38.37 billion in 2026-27.
Among the policy developments affecting international students are changes proposed by the US government to student and visitor visa rules. In July, the US announced rules eliminating the traditional “duration of status” framework and capping stays at four years, which is generally the duration of an academic course.
The United States is also considering a $100,000 fee on foreign students seeking to use the Optional Practical Training, or OPT, programme after graduation. OPT allows international students to work in the US for 12 months, or up to 24 months in certain cases, and can provide a pathway towards employer-sponsored H-1B visas.
For Indian students, the changing policy environment could have implications beyond college admissions. The US has traditionally been one of the most popular destinations for Indian students seeking higher education, while post-study work opportunities have also played an important role in attracting students.
With visa rules tightening and policy uncertainty increasing, the latest decline in applications could signal a broader shift in how international students, particularly those from India, view the United States as a destination for higher education.
