US Issues Only 706 F-1 Visas in India After 69% Drop

F-1 visa approvals for Indian students continue to decline despite the start of the new academic year. This period was expected to bring some relief to both US universities and students awaiting their visas.

In September 2025, the US Department of State issued only 706 student visas to Indians. Earlier in the summer, there was already a sharp drop of around 61 to 69 percent in F-1 visa approvals.

Between June and August, only about 22,000 visas were issued. This significant decline had already raised concerns among universities and applicants about the overall situation.

US universities had urged authorities to clear the backlog before the academic year began. They even made provisions for late admissions to support affected international students.

However, September saw only 7,536 F-1 visas issued, which is 18 percent lower than the previous year. Combined with a reported shortfall of 97,000 visas from summer, the gap remains significant.

Many Indian students with confirmed admission letters are still waiting for visa approvals. This delay has created uncertainty and impacted academic plans for thousands of applicants.

In the previous year, India had become the largest source of international students in the US, surpassing China after 15 years. However, recent numbers show a shift in visa approvals.

In September, China recorded 1,418 visa approvals, while India had only 706. This highlights the current challenges faced by Indian students in securing visas.

Policy changes, including social media screening and paused interviews during May and June 2025, have added to the difficulties. These measures reportedly led to several students being unable to complete the process.

As the US continues with its current policies, universities may face long-term impact. Meanwhile, Indian students are increasingly exploring alternatives in countries like the UK, Germany, and Australia.