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The US is still the favorite destination for foreign students to advance their careers. America's rate of student visa denials is increasing, new statistics show.

An examination of State Department statistics by The Indian Express reveals that in the last fiscal year (October 2023–September 2024), 41% of applications for international student visas were rejected, a decade high for US student visa rejections. That is almost twice the rejection rate for the 2014 fiscal year.

In 2023-24, the US received 6.79 lakh F-1 student visa applications in total, of which 2.79 lakh (41%) were rejected. This is higher than 2022-23, when 2.53 lakh applications (36%) of a total of 6.99 lakh were rejected.

While the US State Department did not release figures on the country-specific refusal rate, The Indian Express cited a 38% decline in student visas granted to Indians during the first nine months of 2024 as compared to the same period in 2023.

When asked to explain the increase in F-1 visa denials, a Department of State official said to The Indian Express: "All visa adjudications are adjudicated on a case-by-case basis, in accordance with the provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) and applicable federal regulations."

For the first time since 2009, India had more students studying in the U.S. than China. A record 331,602 international students from India went to study in the United States during 2023-2024, a 23% increase from last year, as per the Open Doors Report.

India's enrollments rose chiefly at the graduate level, where 196,567 students were enrolled, an increase of 19%. For the Optional Practical Training (OPT) academic levels, 97,556 students were enrolled, an increase of 41%.

New international student enrollments for the first time at a U.S. college or university held firm at 298,705 in 2023/2024, similar to last year's and pre-pandemic numbers.

According to statistics made public by the Ministry of External Affairs, Canada is the host country with the highest number of Indian students at 427,000, followed by the United States (337,630), the United Kingdom (185,000), Australia (122,202), and Germany (42,997).

International students comprised 6% of the overall U.S. higher education student population and generated over $50 billion for the U.S. economy in 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Yet another concerning fact was the overstay of students in America beyond the end of their visa duration. Immigration specialist Jessica M. Vaughan revealed that over 7,000 Indian students and exchange visitors overstayed their visas in the United States in 2023 in a recent hearing before the U.S. House Committee on the Judiciary. The F and M visa types have the largest overstay percentage of any of the general categories of temporary admission. The Center for Immigration Studies' Vaughan called on Congress to consider serious revisions to the country's immigration laws, particularly the H-1B visa program.

According to the data, the percentage of student visa denials increased even as the absolute number of applications from across all countries dipped over the last decade. During this period, the total number of applications peaked at 8.56 lakh in 2014-15, but saw a steady dip in the next few years, till it hit a low of 1.62 lakh in the Covid year of 2019-2020.

Post-Covid, although the number of applications gradually rose, there was a 3% fall in 2023-24 — 6.99 lakh in 2022-23 to 6.79 lakh in 2023-24. Consequently, the absolute figure for visa rejections in the previous fiscal year (2.79 lakh) is the largest percentage in over a decade. Overall 4.01 lakh F-1 visas were granted in 2023-24, which is lower than 4.45 lakh the previous fiscal year.

The F-1 visa is a non-immigrant student category for students pursuing academic programmes in the US, while the M-1 visa embraces vocational and non-academic programmes. The Indian Express analysis here was of F-1 visas, which are issued for more than 90 per cent of US student visas every year.

The State Department did not provide figures for the country-specific denial rate of F1 visas, and stated they "do not publish data to the granularity requested". The spokesperson also referred to a "methodological change" in measuring visa statistics from FY2019, and stated the yearly 'Report of the Visa Office' should be consulted for end-of-year statistics for the fiscal year.

"Prior to this, our approach was to count workload actions, and these were not tied by application. The revised approach better represents outcomes through the visa application process over a given reporting period. The revised approach traces out the progress of visa applications, such as their change in status (i.e., issued or refused), which may alter as the fiscal year continues, or cause minimal variations in data for previous years.". Thus, from FY 2020 onwards, separate monthly issuance reports must not be combined because it will not give an accurate issuance total for the year to date," the spokesperson explained.

Statistics on visa issuances and refusals are, nevertheless, available for the full fiscal year, but not as monthly reports. The department did not make any additional explanation on this.

Though country-wise split of F-1 visa denial is not available, The Indian Express had reported in December last that 64,008 student visas were granted to Indians between January and September in 2024, compared to 1.03 lakh during the same period in 2023. The State Department website now indicates that the monthly reports for March to September were revised in December 2024. With this, the nine-month total from January to September is a slightly lower number of 63,973.

As per statistics, 65,235 visas were given in the respective period of 2021, and 93,181 visas in 2022.

Indian students make up a high percentage of international students in the US. Open Doors 2024 reported that the number of Indians exceeded the Chinese in 2023-24, so Indians became the highest international student population (29.4% of international students) in the US. The Indian student population reached 3.31 lakh in 2023-24, the highest in the history of the Indian cohort, the Open Doors figures reveal.

The rise in F-1 rejections occurs as several other countries have tried to reduce the intake of international students. Canada, for example, revealed in 2024 that it would be limiting the number of study permits, which will be 35% less than in 2023. It clarified at that time that "increases in the number of international students puts pressure on housing, healthcare and other services." It revealed another 10% reduction in study permits in 2025.

In an ever-changing business world, the requirement for skilled and nimble management professionals is greater than ever. To fill this gap, Jindal Global Business School (JGBS) at OP Jindal Global University, in association with upGrad, is organizing a thought-provoking webinar called The Online BBA Advantage: Management Success Without Hitting a Pause. It will take place on March 26, 2025, at 7 PM IST.

Dhaundiyal, Dean, Jindal Global Business School at O.P. Jindal Global University, and Tarun Ahuja, Director, Admissions, upGrad.

With the increasing importance of distance learning, the webinar will examine how online BBA programs enable professionals to progress in their careers without suspending their work. The conversation will touch on the advantages of affordable and flexible management education, challenges of juggling work and school, and how to remain competitive in a fast-changing job market.

The speakers will cover important points such as relevance in the industry, career development potential, and online learning's role in preparing individuals with the expertise to succeed working remotely and also in hybrid scenarios. The session will also place emphasis on how online degrees become credible and online degrees are slowly but surely establishing themselves in business circles.

This webinar will offer useful information for working professionals, students, and future managers who want to speed up their careers through online business education. With the support of expert advice from academia and industry experts, participants will understand better how they can use an online BBA to open up new career opportunities.

As the labor force keeps changing, programs such as these act as a gateway between learning and business, providing prospective professionals with a definitive roadmap to fulfillment.

Sign up today to join this groundbreaking conversation and advance toward a future-proof management career.

Georgia National University, a top private university in Tbilisi, Georgia, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Andhra Pradesh government to establish an international campus in North Andhra. The MoU, signed in the presence of state education minister Lokesh Nara, involves an investment of Rs 1,300 crore. The university, which has a history of over 24 years, is working towards providing global-class education and skill development facilities to students in Andhra Pradesh. 

The university, which stands at 15th position in Georgia and 9,360th globally, has facilities for nearly 10,000 students on an 80,000 m² campus and a faculty of around 1,000. The move is an important milestone in the internationalization of academic partnerships and the promotion of cross-cultural learning opportunities for Indian students.

With a history of more than 24 years, Georgia National University is working towards offering global-class education and skill development facilities to students in Andhra Pradesh. The move is in line with the state's vision to become a global education hub.

This collaboration will raise the global standards of education, generate more than 500 jobs, and provide students with world-class capabilities. Our determination to make Andhra Pradesh a global education destination is more firm than ever," tweeted Lokesh Nara from his official 'X' (formerly Twitter) handle.

As per EduRank, Georgia National University is 15th in Georgia and 9,360th in the world. The university has facilities for almost 10,000 students on an 80,000 m² campus and a faculty of about 1,000. The university has an alumni population of about 50,000 and has contributed considerably to education and research.

Georgia National University's move to Andhra Pradesh is an important milestone in the internationalization of academic partnership and the promotion of cross-cultural learning opportunities for Indian students.

In an unprecedented initiative that is going to reshape medical education, Khatlon State Medical University (KSMU), Tajikistan, joined hands with the world-acclaimed JAIN Group to develop a once-in-a-lifetime experience for budding physicians. This alliance throws open gates for students across the globe, especially Indians, enabling them to pursue MBBS abroad with world-class professors, state-of-the-art facilities, and an internationally accredited curriculum.

Tajikistan, being one of the educationally rich and fast-developing medical education communities in the country, is emerging as an MBBS abroad top country for aspirants seeking cost-efficient and superior education. With the academic leadership of JAIN Group, KSMU stands on the brink of becoming the top college to pursue MBBS in abroad with a comprehensive and internationally competitive medical program.

Why Tajikistan is the New Hotspot for MBBS Aspirants?

Over the past few years, MBBS in abroad for Indian students has become a very popular trend because of affordability, sophisticated clinical training, and global career opportunities. Of the numerous destinations, Tajikistan is particularly noted for its strong focus on applied medical education, high-tech hospitals, and a friendly campus environment.

With KSMU at the helm, Tajikistan has emerged as a sought-after destination for medical students. This university, now further bolstered by its partnership with the JAIN Group, guarantees that students enjoy world-class education coupled with the experience of abroad MBBS admission to a fast-paced and internationally networked academic environment. For Indian students interested in pursuing MBBS abroad, this partnership presents once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to be exposed to international experience, hands-on clinical training, and rigorous academic training.

KSMU & JAIN Group: A Strategic Partnership for a Brighter Tomorrow

The alliance between KSMU and JAIN Group is not merely an academic partnership–it is a pledge to create future-ready medical professionals. JAIN Group, a pioneer in higher education, brings its tradition of academic excellence and international standards of education to KSMU.

Students joining this study MBBS abroad program will gain from:

* Progressive Medical Curriculum – Focused on achieving worldwide medical education standards to facilitate easy integration into international medical practice.

* Highly Qualified Staff – A blend of internationally trained teachers and active physicians, offering students a mix of theoretical foundations and practical experience.

* Clinical Practice in Top Hospitals – Students will gain practical training in among the top hospitals, making them highly competent professionals on graduation.

* Affordability of Education – One of the main issues for Indian students is that education has to be affordable. With MBBS abroad for Indian students costs greatly reduced at KSMU compared to private Indian medical colleges, this course turns out to be a perfect pick.

* hassle-free Admission Procedure – The tie-up guarantees an organized and transparent abroad MBBS admission procedure that makes it less complicated for the students to obtain a seat in this highly rated medical course.

An Education Beyond Boundaries

MBBS abroad for Indian students project of study at KSMU is founded upon a vision for the development of globally competent physicians imbued with pragmatic medical skill. The university's curriculum mirrors global standards for medical education so that graduates would be able to have medical professions in any country around the world.

Students at KSMU receive world-class labs, learning modules that can interact with you, and e-health technologies that set them ready for practice in an evolving healthcare landscape. Global focus in the university plus a century-long experience in teaching and mentoring students of JAIN Group result in KSMU becoming the premier abroad college to pursue MBBS among international-minded MBBS enthusiasts. 

A Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity for MBBS Aspirants

This collaboration is more than just an academic partnership–it is a golden opportunity for students to gain access to top-tier medical education at an affordable cost.

The doors to MBBS in abroad for Indian students have never been this wide open. Whether you’re looking for top-notch clinical exposure, globally recognized education, or affordability without compromising on quality, KSMU in Tajikistan, in collaboration with JAIN Group, is the answer.

Medical students all around the globe, particularly from India, now have an opportunity to go for their desired medical profession in an internationally accredited institution that trains them in a prosperous medical career.

The freeze of funding for Fulbright and other scholarships by the US State Department has left thousands of Indian students in the lurch, depriving them of a facility that has long been the gateway to higher education and professional success. Most of these scholars who count on the programs for scholarships now find themselves in the lurch, with some even half-way through their courses.

The freeze is said to be part of a wider federal rethinking of government expenditures through various agencies and departments. But lack of transparency and official instructions has worsened the situation.

Researchers, who rely on these stipends for living costs, are currently rushing to find other sources of funding. Either drastic cuts or outright elimination of financial support means that students are being compelled to draw on their own savings or take temporary help from their host organizations. In light of increasing cost of living and tuition in the US, sustainability is still a big issue.

Academic Disruptions and Financial Struggles

For others, this sudden cutoff in funding is not only a financial disappointment but upsets their academic trajectory and puts their future at stake. This is especially critical for students from financially weaker sections, for whom these scholarships were the sole plausible way of pursuing higher education in the US. In their absence, such overseas dreams about higher education appear doubtful now.

Lack of Communication from Federal Officials

One of the most irritating elements of this crisis is federal officials' failure to provide clear communication. Students and institutions have consistently asked for clarification, to be greeted with silence. This vacuum of information has added to the distress and anxiety experienced by impacted scholars, especially those based in far-flung or economically disadvantaged areas.

Wider Consequences for US-India Academic Relations

In addition to personal difficulties, the withdrawal of scholarship funds may impact US-India academic exchanges beyond the level of individuals. The US has traditionally been a destination of choice for Indian students, enriching its student bodies and economy substantially. Reduction of scholarship funding would result in falling enrollment levels, compromising the diversity and global competitiveness of US universities.

The freeze of funding for Fulbright and other scholarships by the US State Department has left thousands of Indian students in the lurch, depriving them of a facility that has long been the gateway to higher education and professional success. Most of these scholars who count on the programs for scholarships now find themselves in the lurch, with some even half-way through their courses.

The freeze is said to be part of a wider federal rethinking of government expenditures through various agencies and departments. But lack of transparency and official instructions has worsened the situation.

Researchers, who rely on these stipends for living costs, are currently rushing to find other sources of funding. Either drastic cuts or outright elimination of financial support means that students are being compelled to draw on their own savings or take temporary help from their host organizations. In light of increasing cost of living and tuition in the US, sustainability is still a big issue.

Academic Disruptions and Financial Struggles

For others, this sudden cutoff in funding is not only a financial disappointment but upsets their academic trajectory and puts their future at stake. This is especially critical for students from financially weaker sections, for whom these scholarships were the sole plausible way of pursuing higher education in the US. In their absence, such overseas dreams about higher education appear doubtful now.

Lack of Communication from Federal Officials

One of the most irritating elements of this crisis is federal officials' failure to provide clear communication. Students and institutions have consistently asked for clarification, to be greeted with silence. This vacuum of information has added to the distress and anxiety experienced by impacted scholars, especially those based in far-flung or economically disadvantaged areas.

Wider Consequences for US-India Academic Relations

In addition to personal difficulties, the withdrawal of scholarship funds may impact US-India academic exchanges beyond the level of individuals. The US has traditionally been a destination of choice for Indian students, enriching its student bodies and economy substantially. Reduction of scholarship funding would result in falling enrollment levels, compromising the diversity and global competitiveness of US universities.