Visa Norm Tightening

Significant Drop in US Visa Issuance: US F-1 student visas issued to Indian nationals sharply dropped by 30% in February 2025 compared to February 2024. This is disproportionately larger than the global average and other major countries like China.

Increased Visa Revocations: Indian nationals accounted for 50% of international students whose US visas were revoked in early 2025. The “Catch and Revoke” program is flagged as a factor, raising concerns about fairness.

Longer Visa Wait Times: Indian students face significantly longer visa wait times (58 days in Delhi) compared to East Asian capitals.

Australian Scrutiny: Australia has increased visa scrutiny for applicants from specific Indian states, leading to fears of profiling.

Impact on India’s Soft Power: The visa issues weaken India’s global presence and influence in key fields.

Risk to Demographic Dividend: Curbs hinder educational opportunities for India’s large youth population.

Potential Decline in Remittances: Stricter norms could reduce student migration and remittances to India.

Legal and Financial Hardship: Students facing revocation must undergo complex legal procedures to restore their SEVIS status

Human Capital Drain and Redirection: Shift towards hubs like Nordic countries and South Korea, impacting talent flow.

Domestic Higher Education Pressure: Strain on Indian institutions due to increased demand as international options narrow.

Mitigation Strategies:

• Leverage diplomatic instruments
• Overseas Education Protection Fund (OEPF)
• Enhance domestic higher education
• Digital student registry for tracking and support
• Regulate education consultancies

Increased Visa Denials: In 2024, 41% of student visa applications were denied, compared to the 22.1% of all other types of visa applications that were denied.