Trump’s immigration crackdown: US student visa issuance for Indians drops 27% from March to May

US Visa

After US President Donald Trump took office, his immigration crackdown has led to a slow start to the visa season for Indians.

Between March and May, the number of F-1 student visas issued fell by 27% compared to the same period last year, marking the lowest level for these months since the pandemic, according to the latest US State Department data.

The period from March to July is typically a busy visa season, as students prepare to begin their studies in the Fall semester (August/September).

Between March and May this year, Indian students received 9,906 F-1 (academic) visas - fewer than the 10,894 issued during the post-COVID period in 2022 and significantly lower than the 13,478 granted in the same period last year.

When asked about the reasons for the decline in visa issuances this year - whether due to a drop in student applications, a rise in rejections, or delays in scheduling interviews, a spokesperson for the US Embassy said to the India Express: “The adjudication of visa applications is critically important to the national security and public safety of the US. We encourage applicants to apply as early as they can and to anticipate additional processing time for these visa categories. Our overseas posts have resumed scheduling F non-immigrant visa applications. Applicants should check the relevant embassy or consulate website for appointment availability.”

This decline coincides with the Trump administration's intensified scrutiny of international students, including visa cancellations for several individuals that includes some Indians - allegedly tied to pro-Palestine demonstrations or police interactions.

Also, a two-week suspension of new applications from May 27 to June 18 was imposed to introduce more rigorous checks on applicants' social media activity.

In May, the US administration instructed embassies and consular sections to pause scheduling new interviews for student visa applicants, making social media vetting mandatory for prospective international students, according to Politico.

Following this, the US Embassy in New Delhi advised applicants for F, M, and J category visas to make their social media accounts public to help facilitate the screening process.

Despite the recent decline in visa issuances, the overall growth of Indian students in the US has been significant. According to Open Doors 2024 data, Indian students became the largest group of international students in the U.S. during the 2023–24 academic year, surpassing their Chinese counterparts.

“Consular sections constantly adjust their schedules to allow for sufficient time to fully vet the cases to ensure our visa operations around the world meet the highest standards. We’re working every day to fully vet visa applicants to ensure they do not intend to harm America or our interests, and that they credibly establish their eligibility for the visa sought, including that they intend to engage in activities consistent with the terms of their admission,” the US Embassy spokesperson further added.