India, April 18 -- The rejection rates for US student visas among Indian applicants have surged to 61%, marking the highest level in several years, due to increased policy restrictions and more rigorous vetting processes. Experts caution that escalating costs, uncertainties in the job market, and inaccurate return on investment assessments are influencing the decisions of Indian students regarding overseas education.

According to Shorelight's report titled 'Beyond the Interview: A Decade of Student Visa Denials and What Comes Next', the rate of Indian student visa refusals in the US rose from 53% to 61% within a single year, positioning India as one of the most severely affected countries.

This situation is particularly striking when co...