The path is now becoming difficult for Indian youth who dream of pursuing higher education in America. There has been a steep 15 percent decline in the number of Indian students enrolling in US colleges in the academic year 2025-26 due to stringent immigration rules and visa policies. According to a recent report by 'Common App', the number of international applicants on this platform of more than 1,100 US institutions has decreased by 10 percent, which is the largest figure till date. India is currently the largest source of international students in the US, but now due to the changing policies of the US, students are moving towards other countries. Expiry of the 'Duration of Status' rule and the pressure of heavy fees, the strict steps taken by the US government are considered to be the main reasons behind this decline. The US administration has abolished the traditional 'duration of status' rule, under which the period of students' stay there is now limited to a maximum of four years. Additionally, a hefty levy of up to $100,000 on foreign students availing the 'Optional Practical Training' (OPT) program linked to job opportunities after graduation is also being considered. According to the report by 'National Association of Foreign Student Advisors' and research firm 'JB International', due to these uncertainties, international student registrations are expected to decrease by millions. The American economy is also facing huge economic losses. This disillusionment of Indian and other international students is not only affecting the careers of the students but also on the American economy. International students contributed approximately $41.77 billion to the local US economy during the academic year 2025-26, which is expected to decline to $38.37 billion in the coming years. Experts believe that if visa policies and compliance rules remain so strict, America may lose its reputation as a global education hub, as Indian students are now preferring the options of Britain, Canada and European countries.
