Many students aspire to pursue higher education abroad, with the United States being a top destination. Every year, a large number of students from various countries travel to the US for higher studies. However, in recent years, the US has significantly reduced the number of student visas (F-1 visas) issued. In the 2023-24 financial year alone, the US rejected 41% of student visa applications. Compared to a decade ago, the rejection rate for F-1 visas has almost doubled.

According to the US State Department, 679,000 students applied for F-1 visas in the 2023-24 financial year, but 279,000 (around 41%) applications were rejected. In the previous financial year (2022-23), 699,000 applications were submitted, of which 253,000 (36%) were rejected. Looking back to 2013-14, 769,000 students applied for student visas, and 173,000 (23%) applications were rejected. This shows that the number of rejected applications has nearly doubled over the past decade.

The US has not disclosed the country-wise breakdown of rejected applications. However, as of December 9, 2023, statistics show that F-1 visas issued to Indian students in the first nine months of 2024 dropped by 38%. This is the first significant decline in visas issued to Indian students since COVID-19. According to the Bureau of Consular Affairs’ monthly reports, from January to September 2024, only 64,000 Indian students received F-1 visas, compared to 103,000 during the same period in 2023. The F-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows international students to pursue full-time education in the US. US universities admit students twice a year, with most Indian students enrolling in the August-December semester.