India, Aug. 5 -- A sharp decline in F-1 student visas issued to Indian nationals during the peak admission season has reignited concerns over the future of Indian students heading to the United States, even as they remain the largest international student group in American universities.

According to a study by the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS), the US issued 22,149 F-1 student visas to Indian nationals between May and August 2025, a 60% decline from the average for the same period between 2017-19 and 2021-24, and 62% lower than the 58,694 visas issued during May-August 2024.

The four-month period is considered the most critical for student visa issuance, as the majority of international students receive their visas ahead of the f...