US Student Visas for Indian and Chinese Nationals Decline in 2025

US student visas issued to Indian and Chinese nationals have declined significantly in 2025 according to a report by the Washington based Centre for Immigration Studies (CIS). Visas for Indian students fell by 62 percent, dropping from 58,694 in 2024 to 22,149 in 2025. Visas for Chinese students also decreased, with one report citing a 34 percent drop to 40,034 and another citing a 46 percent decline compared to previous average levels. These figures come as the CIS recommends ending the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme, which allows F-1 visa holders to gain temporary work experience after graduation. Indian students make up nearly half of all OPT participants, totaling 143,740 out of 294,253 for the 2024 to 2025 academic year. The CIS argues that reducing the pipeline of foreign students from India and China will protect the wages and employment opportunities of American workers while enhancing national security by reducing risks of espionage and technology theft. In response, Chinese media outlets have criticized the report, claiming it politicizes academic exchanges and fails to provide evidence that students pose security risks. They attribute the decline in visas to US political maneuvers, including social media screening and enhanced background checks.