U.S. F-1 Student Visas: Mixed Trends in FY2025, India Down 44%, Vietnam Up 20%
The U.S. has seen a mixed bag in F-1 student visa issuances during the first half of fiscal year 2025. While some countries like Vietnam showed significant increases, others like India experienced substantial drops. A temporary pause in new student loans login appointments in May and June added to the uncertainty.
The U.S. issued nearly 89,000 F-1 student loans login visas in the first half of FY2025, a 15% decrease from the same period in FY2024. The search results did not specify which countries achieved the largest increases during this period.
Vietnam, however, bucked the trend with a 20% rise in issuances compared to the same period last year, making it the third-largest source market for U.S. institutions. Meanwhile, Chinese issuances declined by 24%, nearing pre-pandemic levels.
India, traditionally a significant source of international students, saw a 44% drop in issuances, from approximately 26,000 to just under 15,000. This decrease comes amidst growing interest from other countries like Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Colombia.
The U.S. continues to grapple with fluctuations in international student arrivals, with some countries showing strong growth while others face significant declines. The temporary pause in new student loans login visa appointments in May and June 2025 further complicated the situation, highlighting the need for clear communication and consistent policies to support international students.
