US student visas to Indians plunge 62%, but they still lead with 363,019 enrolled
GS2Polity · Governance · IR· India's bilateral relations· Prelims·
Why in news
A report by the Centre for Immigration Studies (CIS) highlights a significant 62% drop in US student visas issued to Indians in 2025, despite Indians remaining the largest group of enrolled international students.
Background
In 2025, US student visas for Indian nationals fell from 58,694 to 22,149. Indian nationals account for 49% of Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme participants in the US.
Facts for Prelims
- FactIndian student visa issuance to the US dropped by 62% in 2025.
- FactIndians remain the largest group of international students in the US with 363,019 enrolled.
- FactIndian nationals constitute 49% of participants in the US OPT programme.
- FactChinese student visa issuance declined by 34% in the same period.
For Mains
Q. Discuss the impact of international student mobility on the human resource development of India and the implications of changing visa policies on the Indian diaspora.
Dimensions to cover in your answer
- brain drain vs brain gain
- skill acquisition
- impact on Indian labor market
- diplomatic implications
Keywords: human capital · mobility · OPT programme · brain drain · bilateral relations
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