Indian students rethink ‘American dream’ as US college applications fall 15%

Indian students rethink ‘American dream’ as US college applications fall 15%

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, Aug 25, 2026: The number of Indian students applying to US colleges fell 15 per cent in 2025-26 from the previous academic year, as tighter immigration policies and uncertainty over visa rules dampened interest among international applicants, according to a report by the Common App.

The non-profit organisation, which represents more than 1,100 institutions, said undergraduate applications for the 2026-27 academic year increased overall. However, international applications received through March 1 declined 10 per cent, marking the steepest fall recorded so far. Applications from India, the largest source of international students in the US, dropped 15 per cent during the period.

More than 3.63 lakh Indian students enrolled in US institutions across various programmes during the 2024-25 academic year, making India the largest contributor to the country’s international student population.

The decline comes amid growing uncertainty over US immigration and visa policies. International students contributed an estimated USD 41.77 billion to the US economy in Fall 2025-26, but that contribution is projected to decline to USD 38.37 billion in 2026-27.

A separate report by NAFSA: Association of International Educators and research firm JB International estimated that stricter visa policies and uncertainty could lead to up to 1.1 lakh fewer international student enrolments at US colleges and universities in Fall 2026.

The report estimated international student enrolment at 11.69 lakh in Fall 2025-26, compared with a projected 10.57 lakh this year.

The US government has also introduced measures affecting foreign students and workers. In July, it announced plans to replace the traditional "duration of status" system for student and visitor visas with a four-year limit, broadly corresponding to the length of a typical undergraduate course.

The administration is also considering a USD 100,000 fee for foreign students seeking to use the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme after graduation. OPT allows international students on US student visas to work for up to 12 months, or up to 24 months in certain cases, and can provide a pathway to employer-sponsored H-1B visas.

H-1B Applications Face Proposed USD 103,265 Fee

Uncertainty also surrounds the H-1B visa route, which many international graduates rely on to continue working in the US after completing their studies.

The Department of Homeland Security has proposed an additional USD 103,265 charge for H-1B applications covered by the annual quota. The proposal would also apply to applications eligible for the master’s degree exemption, while cap-exempt filings would remain unaffected.