The number of student visas granted by the United States witnessed a steep fall in August 2025, with total issuances slipping by nearly 20% compared to last year. According to fresh data from the U.S. International Trade Commission, about 313,000 visas were approved this August — the main admission period for American universities — representing a 19.1% year-over-year drop.
The decline is largely attributed to President Donald Trump’s renewed crackdown on immigration, which introduced additional screening layers, new visa fees, and tightened vetting measures.
India, which recently surpassed China as the largest source of international students in the U.S., saw the most severe impact. Visa approvals for Indian students fell 44.5%, reversing last year’s trend and pushing China back to the top. The U.S. issued roughly 86,600 visas to students from mainland China in August — more than double India’s tally.
While Chinese visa numbers also dipped slightly, the rate of decline was far smaller. The data excludes students already enrolled in U.S. institutions or holding active visas.
The sharp drop reflects a broader policy shift under Trump, whose administration has prioritized immigration control as a central pillar of governance. Officials have accused American universities of “ideological bias” and overreliance on foreign student revenues.
In June, Secretary of State Marco Rubio halted student visa processing temporarily, ordering U.S. embassies to conduct in-depth social media checks on applicants. Reports suggest that thousands of visas have since been revoked, especially for those who voiced criticism of U.S. foreign policies related to Israel.
Additionally, students from several Muslim-majority nations faced denials, while Iranian visa approvals collapsed by 86%.
Interestingly, even as restrictions tighten, Trump has called for more Chinese undergraduate exchanges to strengthen U.S.-China academic ties — a surprising contrast to earlier rhetoric.
Universities across America are now struggling to meet enrollment goals, particularly in STEM fields. A senior education official remarked, “The fall in Indian student numbers marks a historic turning point — not just for universities, but for America’s long-standing academic diplomacy.”
