Indian applicant numbers to US colleges slip 15% as visa rules tighten

Data from the Common App indicate that Indian student applications to US colleges decreased by 15% for the 2025-26 year, even as total domestic undergraduate applications increased. International applications overall fell 10% up to March 1, marking the sharpest decline recorded, with India experiencing the largest drop. Earlier forecasts warned that tighter visa rules and policy uncertainty might cut international student registrations in the fall of 2026-27.

The United States currently hosts over 3.6 lakh Indian students, the largest overseas cohort. Economic estimates suggest foreign students contributed about $41.77 billion in the fall of 2025-26, a figure projected to fall to roughly $38.37 billion the following year. Recent policy changes include ending the “duration of status” system for student visas and proposals to impose a $100,000 fee for the Optional Practical Training program.