In the previous fiscal year, 41% of F-1 visa applications were denied, the highest percentage in ten years, indicating a sharp rise in student visa denials in the US. An examination of State Department data indicates that this number is almost twice as high as the rejection rate observed during the 2014 fiscal year.
6.79 lakh F-1 visa applications were submitted to the US government between october 2023 and september 2024. 2.79 lakh of these applications were rejected, which is a significant increase from the 36% rejection rate in 2022–2023 when 2.53 lakh of 6.99 lakh applications were rejected.
Decline in indian students Visa
Data from The indian Express shows that the number of student visas granted to indian students between january and september 2024 decreased by 38% when compared to the same period in 2023, although the US State Department has not disclosed a country-by-country breakdown of the denial rates.
Applications for student visas from all nations have varied during the last ten years. With 8.56 lakh applications, 2014–15 saw the most applications. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019–20, the numbers gradually decreased, reaching a low of 1.62 lakh. Applications have steadily increased since the pandemic, but in 2023–24, they fell 3% from 6.99 lakh in 2022–2023 to 6.79 lakh.
Consequently, in 2023–24, the total number of visa denials (2.79 lakh) is the highest percentage in at least a decade. During this time, 4.01 lakh F-1 visas were given overall, down from 4.45 lakh the year before.
Understanding the F1 Visa
For students attending US academic institutions, the F-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa. On the other hand, the M-1 visa is intended for non-academic and vocational programs. The indian Express's investigation concentrated on F-1 visas, which account for more than 90% of all student visas granted by the US each year.
6.79 lakh F-1 visa applications were submitted to the US government between october 2023 and september 2024. 2.79 lakh of these applications were rejected, which is a significant increase from the 36% rejection rate in 2022–2023 when 2.53 lakh of 6.99 lakh applications were rejected.
Decline in indian students Visa
Data from The indian Express shows that the number of student visas granted to indian students between january and september 2024 decreased by 38% when compared to the same period in 2023, although the US State Department has not disclosed a country-by-country breakdown of the denial rates.
Applications for student visas from all nations have varied during the last ten years. With 8.56 lakh applications, 2014–15 saw the most applications. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019–20, the numbers gradually decreased, reaching a low of 1.62 lakh. Applications have steadily increased since the pandemic, but in 2023–24, they fell 3% from 6.99 lakh in 2022–2023 to 6.79 lakh.
Consequently, in 2023–24, the total number of visa denials (2.79 lakh) is the highest percentage in at least a decade. During this time, 4.01 lakh F-1 visas were given overall, down from 4.45 lakh the year before.
Understanding the F1 Visa
For students attending US academic institutions, the F-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa. On the other hand, the M-1 visa is intended for non-academic and vocational programs. The indian Express's investigation concentrated on F-1 visas, which account for more than 90% of all student visas granted by the US each year.
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