📉 50% Drop in Indian students entering the U.S. for higher studies in July vs. last year (Forbes).
🔑 Reasons
- Visa interview suspensions
- Revocation of visas
- Threat of Optional Practical Training (OPT) termination
🌍 Impact
- New international student enrollment in U.S. schools expected to fall by 50% this Fall.
For decades, the United States has been the top destination for Indian students aspiring for world-class education and career opportunities. But this trend is showing signs of reversal. According to U.S. immigration data, the number of Indian students entering the country for higher studies in July dropped by a staggering 50% compared to the same period last year, Forbes reports.
Several policy decisions by the U.S. administration are driving this change. The suspension of visa interviews, sudden revocation of visas, and uncertainty over the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program — which allows international students to work in the U.S. after graduation — have shaken confidence. For many Indian families, the risk of investing in expensive education without clear post-study work opportunities seems too high.
The ripple effect is significant. U.S. universities are bracing for a 50% decline in new international student enrollment this Fall, which could impact their revenues and diversity initiatives. On the other hand, alternative destinations such as Canada, the UK, Australia, and Germany are increasingly attracting Indian students with friendlier visa policies and clearer work pathways.
This moment marks a potential turning point. If U.S. policies don’t stabilize, the “American dream” for higher education may lose its shine, and Indian students could help redefine the global education map.
