WASHINGTON (Diya TV) — Indian students seeking to study in the United States have seen a sharp decline in the number of F-1 student visas granted in 2024. Data from the U.S. State Department has shown that between January and September 2024, the number of visas issued to Indian nationals declined by 38% compared to the same period in 2023.
In total, 64,008 Indian students received F-1 visas in 2024, down from 103,495 in 2023. This marks the lowest number of Indian student visa issuances since 2020, when the pandemic caused widespread disruptions and just 6,646 visas were granted. Despite the anomaly in 2020, previous years had seen a strong recovery. In 2022, 93,181 visas were issued, and in 2021, 65,235 visas were approved for Indian nationals.
Indian student applicant numbers, however, seem more affected than others. Nevertheless, not only Indian, but other nationalities are also reporting a decline as well. Chinese students comprised the second-largest group after Indians. Their F-1 visa approvals declined during the same period by a whopping 8%.
The causes of the decline are not readily apparent, but several contributing factors have been suggested by experts. These include the tightening of visa policies, increased scrutiny in the visa application process, and a growing reluctance among students to navigate the challenges of visa renewals and travel restrictions. Other geopolitical tensions, such as those between the U.S. and China, could also be contributing to the reduction of international student visas.
Despite this decline, India remains the largest source of international students in the U.S., with more than 200,000 Indian students enrolled in U.S. colleges and universities in the 2022-2023 academic year. But this decline in F-1 visa issuances could be a cause for concern for universities and higher education institutions, which depend on international students for both academic diversity and financial contributions.
While the State Department has yet to comment on particular reasons for the decline in F-1 visas issued to Indian nationals, the trend will be watched keenly by policymakers, higher education officials, and students.
