Key Takeaways
• Indian student enrollment in the US dropped nearly 28% from March 2024 to March 2025.
• Gujarati students saw a sharper 30% decrease, reflecting unique regional challenges and rising visa denials.
• Stricter F-1 visa rules, rising costs, and political climate push more students toward Canada, the UK, and Australia.
A steep fall in the number of Gujarati students heading to the United States for higher studies is now clear, echoing troubling trends for Indian student enrollment in general. Reliable sources show that in the year spanning March 2024 to March 2025, the overall number of Indian students in the US dropped by almost 28%. For Gujarati students, this downfall is even more pronounced, with an estimated 30% decrease. This change isn’t just a random dip—it’s rooted in policy headaches, rising costs, and a changing political climate.
A Closer Look at Student Enrollment Numbers
Let’s start with the data. As reported by VisaVerge.com, the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) shows a sharp decline in Indian student enrollment in the United States. While international student numbers overall shrunk by 11.33% in the same period, the near 28% fall for Indian students stands out as a major loss. The decline isn’t just a statistic. Behind every number is a student—often from a family that’s been planning for years—forced to rethink or postpone their dream of studying in the US.
For Gujarati students in particular, the story is even more severe. Reports confirm that Indian states such as Gujarat, which traditionally send thousands of students abroad each year, have seen a 30% drop. While this lines up with the national pattern, it hints at unique challenges faced by students from Gujarat. Most people in Gujarat rely on close-knit family support and often depend on community networks for guidance. A drop this large shows that family savings, community advice, and even student confidence have all been shaken in recent months.
Why Are These Numbers Falling?
There’s no one reason behind the slide in Indian student enrollment, but three big issues stand out.
Visa Struggles and Policy Shifts
For decades, American colleges were popular with Indian students because of high-quality education and welcoming visa policies. That has changed rapidly over the last two years. In 2023-2024, US consular officers denied 41% of the 679,000 F-1 visa applications from across the world. By comparison, the denial rate in the previous year was 36%. This jump in rejections has hit Indian students especially hard.
Here are some numbers that put things into perspective:
- In 2023, 103,495 F-1 visas went to Indian students.
- By 2024, this dropped to just 64,008—a fall of 38%.
The shift in US policy started with President Trump’s return to office in January 2025. Since then, rules for the F-1 student visa have become stricter. The F-1 visa is the basic non-immigrant visa for students from other countries wishing to study full-time in the US. Under the new administration, proposals have appeared to shorten visa durations and even severely cut the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program—a rule that currently lets international students get job experience in the US for up to three years after they finish their degrees.
These changes have made it much harder for Indian students, including Gujarati students, to plan for a life of study and work in the United States.
Money Problems: The Growing Cost of US Education
The United States has always been one of the most expensive destinations for education. But for many Indian families, the return seemed worth it. That balance, however, is shifting. First, the Indian rupee has lost value compared to the US dollar. Every time the rupee dips, studying in the United States gets more costly.
Today, a typical Indian student living and studying in the US spends between $25,000 and $45,000 each year. This sum covers tuition, books, room, and food. For many middle-class families in Gujarat and across India, these figures are not just daunting—they’re beyond reach.
President Trump’s administration has also placed new tariffs on different imported goods. These tariffs raise the price of everyday items, both in the US and back home in India. As daily living becomes more expensive, students who might once have been able to cover their costs are now thinking twice. With the rupee struggling and tariffs making things worse, making the dream of studying in the United States come true is now much harder for Gujarati students.
An Uneasy Social and Political Scene
In addition to rules and costs, the general political and social mood also plays a big role. Since President Trump returned to office, uncertainty has grown around US immigration. Students in India and their families have become nervous about sending loved ones to America, thanks in part to unsettling news and viral videos. These clips, sometimes showing students being arrested or deported, spread fast on social media, fueling more doubts.
There’s also been talk of students “deleted” from official US immigration databases, making them more likely to face deportation. Reports suggest more than 4,700 students have faced this issue since early 2025.
The result? Some families pause their plans, while others choose countries that feel safer for young people. Anxiety is felt deeply by Gujarati students and by their parents, many of whom make big sacrifices to send their children abroad.
Impact on U.S. Colleges and Universities
The loss gets felt not just in India, but right across American colleges and universities. Many American schools, especially smaller or lesser-known ones, have relied on international students—like those from Gujarat—to balance their books. These students usually pay full tuition fees, helping colleges offer scholarships to local students and fund improvements on campus.
When Indian student numbers fall by almost one-third, schools can face financial trouble. University leaders have warned that without steps to fix the problem, colleges may have to raise tuition even higher for everyone, cut campus programs, or freeze hiring. The impact is being discussed in school boardrooms and at state education offices across the United States, where planners try to figure out how to fill the gaps.
Why Gujarati Students Matter
Gujarati students aren’t just statistics—they have played a special role in the tapestry of US campuses for many years. With strong community networks and often excellent English skills, they tend to succeed both academically and socially. Their presence also boosts local economies, supports research, and often leads to more cultural activity both on and around campus.
So, when 30% fewer Gujarati students arrive in the US, the loss isn’t only about tuition. It’s about the energy and diversity they bring to lecture halls, the small businesses they support, and the ties they build between India and the United States.
The Search for Other Options
As US doors have become harder to open, both Indian students and their families are casting a wider net. Canada 🇨🇦, for example, is gaining in popularity because of its Post-Graduation Work Permit program. This program allows international graduates to stay and work in Canada for several years after finishing school. The United Kingdom 🇬🇧 is also proving more attractive by offering its own Graduate Route visa, which provides post-study work opportunities for international students.
These easier pathways to work after study increase the appeal of countries other than the United States. The trends suggest that if current US policies do not change, even more Gujarati students—and Indian students overall—may choose Canada, the UK, Australia 🇦🇺, or even countries like Germany 🇩🇪 or Singapore 🇸🇬.
A Look at Policy and the Road Ahead
The current decline in Indian student enrollment is happening even before the full impact of President Trump’s new visa and immigration policies can be measured. Experts warn that as stricter rules come into play, things could get worse before they get better, especially for students from Gujarat and other Indian states with a strong tradition of sending young people abroad.
Some steps could help slow or even reverse this trend. Calls have been made for more transparent visa processes, longer visa durations, and continued work options for international students. College leaders and student groups are also urging the US government to send clearer signals to foreign students showing they are welcome, safe, and valued on American soil.
For Gujarati families making decisions today, reliable guidance is key. Many are looking for updates from official sources, like the US Department of State’s Student Visa page, to stay current with changing rules and expectations.
The Big Picture: Long-term Implications
If this drop in Indian and Gujarati student numbers continues, there could be big long-term shifts:
- US schools might face financial problems if they lose international students who pay full fees.
- America could lose its reputation as the “first choice” for global talent, putting it behind Canada, the UK, and others.
- The special bridge built between India and the United States through decades of educational exchange could weaken, closing doors for the next generation.
In the end, the path forward will depend on how quickly US leaders repair confidence, reform harsh policies, and reassure students—including Gujarati students—that the United States still values their presence. Until then, each new data release will be watched with concern, both by American colleges and hopeful families in Gujarat.
In summary, the sharp decline in Gujarati students heading to the United States reflects much deeper challenges for Indian student enrollment overall. Visa hurdles, rising costs, and a tense political climate are forcing families and students to rethink their choices. Unless clear, student-friendly policies return, America could keep losing out to other countries ready to welcome the next wave of talented students from India—students whose dreams reach far beyond borders.
Learn Today
F-1 Visa → A non-immigrant visa allowing international students to study full-time at accredited educational institutions in the United States.
SEVIS → Student and Exchange Visitor Information System; tracks international students and exchange visitors in the US for legal compliance.
OPT (Optional Practical Training) → A program allowing F-1 students to work in the US for up to three years after graduation.
Tariffs → Taxes imposed on imported goods by the government, often increasing everyday costs for students and families.
Graduate Route visa → A UK visa allowing international graduates to work or look for work for up to two years after finishing study.
This Article in a Nutshell
The number of Gujarati students heading to the US has plunged by 30%. This steep decline reflects tougher F-1 visa policies, escalating education costs, and rising social uncertainties. Many families are now considering alternatives like Canada or the UK as America risks losing its appeal to Indian students seeking global opportunities.
— By VisaVerge.com
Read more:
• How birthright citizenship shapes legal status in the United States
• United States government tightens rules for marriage-based green cards
• United Airlines Shuts Down JFK Airport Comeback Rumors
• United Airlines flight attendants suspended after Polaris business class protest
• United States lifts tariffs on Rolls-Royce Engines for UK aerospace sector
