The United States saw a notable 11.3 percent decline in international student enrolment between March 2024 and March 2025, according to new data from the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). The drop, from 11.53 lakh to 10.22 lakh active student records, marks a sharp reversal from 2024’s growth trends, which had been largely driven by Indian students.

In 2024, the US hosted a record 15.8 lakh international students, a 5.3 percent rise from 2023, with Indian students making up 4.2 lakh — a 11.8 percent jump. India overtook China as the leading source country, contributing 27 percent of the total international student population, compared to China’s 20 percent.

However, recent data analysed by Boston College professor Chris R. Glass shows a 28 percent year-on-year plunge in the number of Indian students — from 3.54 lakh in March 2024 to 2.55 lakh by March 2025. Meanwhile, Chinese enrolment rose slightly by 3.28 percent, standing at 2.63 lakh.

Experts point to a range of challenges contributing to the decline — visa processing delays, uncertainty over STEM OPT extension policies, consular backlogs, social media scrutiny, and widespread layoffs in the US tech sector.

Despite this downturn, participation in the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program continued to grow in 2024, with 1.94 lakh students employed — a 21.1 percent increase from 2023. Indian students remained dominant in the STEM-OPT extension programme, accounting for 48 percent of all participants.

The sharp drop raises concerns about the US’s appeal as a study destination, particularly among Indian students, with future figures expected to fall further in 2026.

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