US Student Visas for Indians Fall 62% as CIS Seeks End to OPT Program

A US immigration report has renewed calls to end the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme after revealing that nearly 2.94 lakh foreign graduates were working in the United States in 2024-25, even as student visa approvals for applicants from India and China dropped sharply.

The report, prepared by George Fishman, a senior legal fellow at the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS), said the US issued 22,149 F-1 visas to Indian students in 2025, down 62% from 58,694 in 2024. Student visas for Chinese nationals also fell 34%, dropping from 61,075 to 40,034 over the same period. The comparison covers the May-August period, when most F-1 visas are issued before the academic year begins.

Despite the steep fall in new visas, the Institute of International Education (IIE) reported that the US hosted 1,177,766 international students during the 2024-25 academic year. Indians made up the largest group with 363,019 students, followed by 265,919 from China. Together, they accounted for 53% of all international students.

The report found that 294,253 graduates were working under the OPT programme after finishing their studies. Indians formed the biggest share at 143,740, while 61,981 participants were from China.

Fishman argued that OPT should be abolished because it reduces job opportunities and wages for American graduates. He also claimed previous administrations expanded the programme without congressional approval. The CIS has long opposed the programme, saying it gives employers incentives to hire foreign graduates over US workers.

The findings come as the Trump administration continues tighter screening of international student visas, adding to uncertainty for students planning to study and work in the United States.