The United States issued nearly 20% fewer student visas in August 2025 compared with the same period in 2024, marking a significant decline in new international student entries.

The figures were released on October 6 by the U.S. International Trade Commission and come amid stricter visa requirements introduced during the Trump administration, according to the French newspaper Le Figaro.

Decline in Student Visas

In August 2025, U.S. authorities issued 313,138 student visas, the month when most universities begin their academic year, representing a 19.1% decrease compared to August 2024.

India, which was the largest source of foreign students in the United States last year, experienced a dramatic 44.5% drop in visas issued compared to the previous year. While China has taken a leading role in sending students, the number of visas issued to Chinese students also fell, amid ongoing diplomatic tensions and complaints over the treatment of Chinese students entering or living in the U.S.

Student visa issuance also saw sharp declines from Muslim-majority countries, with Iran experiencing an 86% reduction.