Visa Policy Changes Impact International Enrollment

Active student records from India in the United States have experienced a sharp decline, dropping by 13.5% as shifting immigration policies and tighter visa controls create fresh uncertainties for prospective scholars.

According to data released from the US Department of Homeland Security's Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), overall international student records fell by 7.07% in October 2026 compared to the same month the previous year. While China also saw a decrease of 10.2%, the impact on Indian enrollment proved notably steeper.

Master's Programs Hit Hardest, While Doctorals Surge

A closer examination of the figures indicates that the downturn is heavily concentrated in specific academic levels. The steepest drop occurred among master's degree students, who saw a 20.1% decline in active records over the comparative period. Bachelor's degree student records also contracted, though at a milder rate of 6.5%.

Conversely, doctoral programs bucked the downward trend entirely. Active records for PhD students registered a remarkable 45.9% increase, highlighting a stark divergence between postgraduate professional degrees and advanced academic research tracks.

Shifting Trends Following 2024 Peak

Statistical tracking from January 2023 through October 2026 illustrates that Indian student records had steadily climbed to a peak of 3.87 lakh in September 2024. Since then, numbers have steadily retreated, sliding to 3.66 lakh by October 2025 and contracting further to 3.17 lakh in October 2026.

Analysts point to heightened administrative hurdles as a primary catalyst for the reversal. The introduction of rigorous vetting processes—including expanded social media screening implemented in mid-2025—alongside prolonged processing delays and broader anxieties regarding post-graduation employment pathways, have collectively dampened international enthusiasm.

An independent survey conducted by the Institute of International Education corroborates these findings, indicating that new international student enrollments dropped by 17% for the 2025-26 academic cycle, with an overwhelming 96% of responding academic institutions attributing the decline directly to visa-related apprehension.