F-1 US student visas that have been issued to citizens of India have dropped by 62 percent within the period when admissions peak, according to Center for Immigration Studies (CIS). This has occurred because the US has intensified its visa application process in an effort to tighten its immigration policies as part of the measures put in place during the tenure of the Trump Administration.
It has been reported that the steep drop in the number of approved visas has been caused by a variety of reasons including intensified background check, tightened scrutiny of those who apply for visas and the general changes in immigration law to enhance national security. It has also been noted that this measure has had a significant impact on the number of approvals granted to international students from India, who comprise one of the largest groups of such students in the US.
The issue of Optional Practical Training (OPT) program has become another challenge facing international students who wish to seek higher education in the US. This has emerged as the program has become questionable due to cases of misuse and fraud.
It is said that the tightening up of visa norms may have an effect on Indian students opting for other countries such as the UK, Germany, and Australia because the job prospects after completion of studies seem more predictable there than in the USA. The recent statistics from the government reveal that the total number of Indian students enrolled in the USA has declined due to the stricter visa regulations.
However, the USA continues to be one of the most preferred destinations for Indian students despite the fall in numbers. Yet, the future enrollment trends will be influenced by the changing policies on immigration and jobs.
"F-1 US student visas that have been issued to citizens of India have dropped by 62 percent within the period when admissions peak, according…"