New Delhi: For the first time in five years, the number of Indian students going abroad for education has declined. Most Indian students usually go to countries like the USA, Canada, and the UK. However, statistics show a significant drop in students heading to these countries this year. In 2024, there has been a 25% decline in student visas granted to Indian students from these three countries. The number of students going to the USA dropped by 34%, to the UK by 26%, and to Canada by 32%. Immigration sources reveal that the number of students going to Canada dropped from 2.78 lakh to 1.89 lakh.

The number of F-1 visas issued by the USA to Indian students dropped from 1,31,000 to 86,110. This change is attributed to the tightening of immigration rules in these countries. Additionally, tensions between India and Canada have further affected the situation. Canada has announced that it plans to reduce the number of foreign students by 5% by 2026, citing rising costs in housing, healthcare, and other services.

The UK has also introduced new rules prohibiting foreign students from bringing dependents with them, which has led to a drop in visa applications to that country. Over the past decade, the number of Indian students going to these three countries had increased significantly. In 2022 and 2023, Indians even surpassed Chinese students in numbers. However, in 2024, that trend has reversed with a noticeable decline.