Dramatic decline in visas issued to Chinese and Indian students under Trump

Published August 4, 2026 1:29pm ET



The number of student visas issued to Chinese and Indian applicants has dropped dramatically since the Trump administration began its crackdown on foreign college and university applicants last year, according to a new study.

Forty-six percent fewer F-1 student visas were issued to Chinese applicants by the State Department in May through August in 2025 compared to the same period in 2017, according to the Washington-based think tank, the Center for Immigration Studies. Among Indian students, visas were down 60%.

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