Indian F-1 Visa Issuances Fell 62% in Peak 2025 Months

Indian F-1 visa issuances fell sharply during the 2025 peak season, according to U.S. State Department data, as a new report from the Center for Immigration Studies called for ending Optional Practical Training. The figures highlight a significant slowdown in the student pipeline, but the report’s OPT recommendation is not a government policy change.

A Steep Seasonal Decline

A review of the State Department’s published monthly reports shows that 22,149 F-1 visas were issued to Indian nationals from May through August 2025. During the same four months in 2024, the total was 58,694, representing a decline of about 62%.

The 62% figure covers May through August, not all of 2025. That distinction matters because these months typically account for much of the visa activity ahead of the fall academic term. The calculation also refers specifically to principal F-1 student visas, rather than dependent F-2 visas or the separate M and J classifications.

The State Department describes its monthly issuance reports as preliminary and subject to revision. The data establish that fewer visas were issued during the period, but they do not by themselves explain how much of the decline resulted from demand, processing conditions, additional screening or individual visa decisions.

OPT Enters the Debate

The Center for Immigration Studies report used the decline to support its broader argument that the United States should terminate OPT, a position the organization has promoted previously. Its authors contend that the program affects opportunities for U.S. workers. The recommendation is an advocacy position and does not alter the rights of current F-1 students.

OPT remains available under current federal guidance. USCIS says eligible F-1 students may receive up to 12 months of practical training related to their field of study. Graduates with qualifying science, technology, engineering or mathematics degrees may apply for a further 24-month STEM OPT extension, subject to requirements involving the student, employer and training plan.

For Indian students, the debate is especially important because access to practical training often affects decisions about program cost, career experience and the transition from graduation to employment. Students should nevertheless separate calls for policy change from rules that have actually taken effect.

What Students Should Watch

No termination rule has been issued as of August 7, 2026. The federal Unified Agenda lists a future DHS proposal titled “Practical Training,” intended to address oversight, fraud, national security and worker-protection concerns. Its current timetable targets a proposed rule for February 2027, meaning the public has not yet seen regulatory text or final requirements.

Applicants and current students should continue following USCIS, ICE and State Department guidance, maintain accurate school and employment records, and consult their designated school official before making decisions based on policy reports or news coverage.

This article provides general information and is not legal advice. Individual immigration circumstances may require guidance from a qualified professional.

Sources

• US student visas for Indians drop 62%; CIS report urges scrapping of OPT programme — Times of India (August 6, 2026)
• Monthly Nonimmigrant Visa Issuance Statistics — U.S. Department of State (accessed August 7, 2026)
• Chapter 5 - Practical Training — U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (February 3, 2026)
• Practical Training — Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (accessed August 7, 2026)