By Nandini Tyagi
March 24, 2025
US visa rejection rate for Indian students at a decade-high
Mar 24, 2025
Indian students face the highest visa denial rates in over a decade, with 41% of F-1 visa applications being turned down in the 2023-24 fiscal year
Photo: Freepik
Out of the 6.79 lakh applications received in 2023-24, the US rejected 2.79 lakh applications, as per the analysis of state department data. The rejection rate has almost doubled from 2014
Photo: Freepik
The F-1 visa is for students attending academic institutions in the US, while the M-1 visa covers vocational and non-academic programmes
Photo: Unsplash
The US State Department has not disclosed the country-wise data on visa refusal rates. However, the Indian student visa issuance dropped by 38% in early 2024, compared to 2023
Photo: Freepik
The F-1 visa is considered to be the primary visa for international students attending American universities, with over 90% of the US student visas falling under this category
Photo: Freepik
As per the US State Department, the changes in visa data calculations have been attributed to a ‘change in methodology’ implemented from 2019 onwards
Photo: Freepik
Other countries have also imposed restrictions on international students. Canada capped study permits in 2024 leading to a 35% reduction compared to 2023
Photo: Unsplash
The UK, where Indians are the second largest source of international students, restricted foreign students from bringing dependents, leading to a 40% drop in university enrolment
Photo: Unsplash
