Indian Students Seeking US Undergraduate Admission Fall 15%, Report Says
Common App data shows a sharp decline in Indian applicants as tighter immigration policies and concerns over post-study work options weigh on international enrolment.
WASHINGTON, Aug 25: The number of Indian students applying to undergraduate programmes at US colleges fell 15% in the 2025-26 admission cycle, highlighting growing uncertainty among international students over tightening immigration and visa policies.
Data from the Common App, a non-profit organisation representing more than 1,100 institutions, showed that applications from international students declined 10% through March 1 for the 2026-27 academic year. The organisation described the fall as the steepest recorded decline in international applicants.
India recorded a 15% drop in applicants, despite remaining the largest source of international students in the United States.
More than 3.63 lakh Indian students enrolled in various US academic programmes during the 2024-25 academic year, underscoring the importance of the country as a major contributor to American higher education.
The decline comes as prospective students and families assess the impact of changes to US immigration regulations. Concerns over visa restrictions, duration of stay and opportunities to work after graduation have increasingly become factors in decisions about studying in the country.
International students also make a significant economic contribution to the United States. According to the Common App report, they generated an estimated USD 41.77 billion for the US economy during the 2025-26 academic year. That contribution is projected to fall to USD 38.37 billion in 2026-27.
A separate assessment by NAFSA: Association of International Educators and research firm JB International estimated that stricter immigration policies could result in as many as 1.1 lakh fewer international student enrolments at US colleges and universities in Fall 2026.
The organisations estimated international enrolment at around 11.69 lakh in Fall 2025-26, with the figure projected to decline to approximately 10.57 lakh this year.
Visa Rules Add to Student Concerns
The US government announced changes in July that would replace the traditional “duration of status” arrangement for student and visitor visas with a maximum stay of four years. The change could affect students whose academic programmes extend beyond the specified period.
Another major concern is the proposed USD 100,000 fee for foreign graduates seeking to use the Optional Practical Training programme.
OPT permits eligible international students on US student visas to work after completing their studies, generally for up to 12 months, with longer periods available for certain eligible fields. The programme also provides some graduates with a pathway towards employer-sponsored H-1B visas.
The H-1B programme allows US employers to hire foreign professionals for specialised occupations requiring technical or theoretical expertise. Indian nationals have historically accounted for a significant share of H-1B beneficiaries, particularly in the technology sector.
The combination of higher costs, changing visa rules and uncertainty surrounding employment opportunities could influence future application trends among Indian students.
The latest figures suggest that the US higher education sector may face increasing competition from other international study destinations if prospective students continue to view immigration policies as a significant factor in choosing where to pursue their degrees.
