Applications from Indian students to colleges and universities in the United States have declined by 15 per cent, highlighting growing uncertainty among prospective students over US visa rules, post-study work opportunities and the rising cost of overseas education.

The figure, reported by undergraduate admissions platform Common App, places India among the major international applicant groups experiencing the sharpest decline. The data was also highlighted by an official account operated by the Trump White House.

The drop comes at a time when the US remains one of the most popular destinations for Indian students. However, changing immigration policies and uncertainty around employment after graduation are increasingly becoming part of the decision-making process for students and their families.

International applications also decline

The decline among Indian applicants is part of a broader reduction in applications from international students to US institutions. Overall international applications have fallen by about 10 per cent, according to the data cited in the report.

At the same time, applications from students within the US have continued to rise, widening the gap between domestic and international demand.

For Indian students, the changes are particularly significant because many applicants consider the ability to gain professional experience in the US after completing their degrees when calculating the cost and potential benefits of studying there.

Student visa rules create uncertainty

Changes to the US student visa framework have added to concerns among international applicants.

The Trump administration has moved to replace the previous “duration of status” arrangement with a proposed four-year limit for students holding F-1 and J-1 visas. Students who need additional time to complete their programmes could be required to apply for an extension through US Citizenship and Immigration Services.

The proposed change could have greater implications for students enrolled in longer or more complicated academic programmes, where completing a degree within a fixed period may be difficult.

OPT remains a key concern

The future of Optional Practical Training (OPT) is another issue being closely watched by Indian applicants.

OPT allows eligible international students to work in the US after completing their studies. For many Indian students, the opportunity to gain US work experience is an important consideration when choosing an American university.

However, uncertainty over possible changes and additional costs associated with the programme has made it harder for students to estimate the overall financial return of a US degree.

For families already facing high tuition, accommodation and living expenses, uncertainty over post-study employment can significantly affect the attractiveness of studying in America.

Smaller universities see sharper fall

The decline in applications has also varied according to the type of institution.

Highly selective US universities with strong international reputations and established employment outcomes have seen comparatively limited changes. Their international applications declined by around 1 per cent, according to the data.

The situation has been different for universities with broader admission policies. Institutions with acceptance rates above 75 per cent recorded an approximately 21 per cent decline in applications.

The figures suggest that students who continue to consider the US may increasingly favour universities with stronger global reputations, career prospects and perceived value, even when those institutions are more expensive or competitive.

US universities could face financial impact

A sustained decline in international applications could also affect American higher education institutions and the economies surrounding them.

International students contribute through tuition payments as well as spending on accommodation, transportation, food and other services. According to an outlook cited in the report, reduced international enrolment could contribute to an estimated $3.4 billion decline in economic activity.

For Indian students, meanwhile, the changing US immigration environment could encourage greater consideration of alternative destinations such as the UK, Canada, Australia and other countries offering international education and post-study work opportunities.

The 15 per cent fall in Indian applications therefore signals more than a change in admissions numbers. It reflects the growing importance of visa certainty, affordability and post-study employment prospects in how Indian students evaluate higher education in the US.

The United States has revoked more than 175,000 visas issued to foreign nationals during President Donald Trump's second term, with the State Department citing criminal activity, immigration violations, fraud, calls for violence and national security concerns.

The State Department released the figure on Monday, outlining several categories of cases that resulted in visa revocations. Officials said the majority involved foreign nationals who came into contact with US law enforcement over alleged criminal activity.

The announcement comes as the Trump administration continues to tighten immigration enforcement and review rules affecting foreign students, skilled workers and other non-citizens.

Criminal Cases Lead Revocations

According to the State Department, criminal offences accounted for the largest share of visa revocations.

Officials said cases involving assault, driving under the influence, theft and drug-related crimes were among the leading reasons.

Other cases involved allegations of reckless driving, sexual assault, child abuse, fraud, embezzlement and other offences.

The department said visa holders can lose their visas when authorities determine that their continued presence or conduct does not meet US immigration or security requirements.

Foreign Policy Grounds Cited

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has also determined that some foreign nationals are deportable on foreign-policy grounds, according to the department.

Among the cases highlighted by officials were foreign nationals allegedly connected to foreign government influence operations, individuals linked to the Iranian regime and people accused of making threats or supporting violence against US officials.

The department cited the case of a Kuwaiti national who allegedly expressed a desire for violence against the US president and referred to Americans as an enemy.

Officials also highlighted cases involving serious criminal allegations, including rape, kidnapping, human trafficking, sexual exploitation of minors and child sexual abuse material.

Birth Tourism Cases Included

The State Department said a US embassy in North Africa revoked more than 100 visas involving parents accused of travelling to the United States primarily to give birth so their children could obtain US citizenship.

Such cases were described by the department as involving so-called birth tourism.

The administration has increasingly focused on immigration practices that it argues exploit the US visa and immigration system.

Fraud and Financial Crimes

The list released by the State Department also included cases involving alleged financial fraud.

In one case, a foreign national accused of operating a healthcare business allegedly helped orchestrate a Medicaid fraud scheme involving more than $5 million in fake services.

Another case involved a foreign national accused of fabricating company revenue, misleading investors and using forged documents to obtain a US visa.

The department said these cases demonstrated that immigration enforcement also covers fraud committed in connection with obtaining or maintaining legal status.

Social Media and Violence

The State Department also cited cases involving foreign nationals accused of celebrating the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

Officials included examples of individuals who allegedly posted comments online praising or expressing approval of his death.

The inclusion of such cases reflects the administration's broader approach of considering certain conduct, including statements and activities viewed as threats to public safety or national security, when reviewing visa eligibility.

State Department Defends Policy

The State Department said the Trump administration would continue identifying and revoking visas belonging to foreign nationals it considers threats to public safety.

Officials stressed that holding a US visa is a privilege rather than a permanent entitlement.

The department said it would continue using available enforcement mechanisms against people who violate US law or immigration requirements.

New Rules for International Students

The visa revocations come alongside broader immigration changes affecting foreign students and skilled workers.

A new Department of Homeland Security rule is expected to replace the existing duration-of-status system for F-1 international students with fixed periods of authorised stay, generally capped at four years.

The administration has also proposed reducing the post-study grace period from 60 days to 30 days.

The changes could affect students who need additional time to complete their programmes or transition into employment.

Rules would also place additional restrictions on changing academic programmes or fields of study, particularly at the graduate level.

Implications for Indian Students and Workers

The changes are likely to attract particular attention in India, which sends a large number of students to US universities and accounts for a significant share of H-1B skilled-worker recipients.

The administration is also considering changes to the grace period available to H-1B workers who lose their jobs.

Taken together, the visa enforcement campaign and proposed immigration changes indicate a broader tightening of US policy toward foreign nationals under Trump's second administration.

For international students, skilled workers and other visa holders, the developments could mean greater scrutiny and less flexibility in maintaining their immigration status in the United States.

Washington: The Donald Trump administration is considering a proposal that could require international students to pay a $100,000 fee if they want to work in the United States after graduating from an American university, according to a Wall Street Journal report. The proposal could have a major impact on foreign students, particularly Indians, who form one of the largest international student communities in the US. More than 360,000 Indian students could potentially be affected if the measure is introduced in a form that applies broadly to international graduates. The proposed charge is reportedly being considered in connection with the Optional Practical Training, or OPT, programme, which allows eligible international students to remain in the US and gain work experience related to their field of study after completing their education. Depending on their course and eligibility, students can currently work under the programme for between one and three years.

According to the report, the proposal is being considered by the US Department of Homeland Security, but several important details remain unclear. There is no confirmation yet on whether the White House has formally backed the plan, and it is also unclear exactly which international graduates would be required to pay the proposed $100,000 fee. The plan, therefore, remains under consideration rather than an implemented policy. If introduced, however, such a large charge could significantly change the financial calculation for students planning to study and later work in America. International students already spend substantial amounts on university tuition, accommodation, insurance and other living expenses. Adding a six-figure employment-related fee could make the post-study work route difficult to afford for many graduates. The OPT programme has been particularly important for students who want to gain professional experience in the US before moving to another immigration status or returning to their home countries.

Indian students could be among those watching the development most closely. With more than 360,000 Indians studying in the United States, any major change to post-graduation employment rules could have wide consequences for students and families planning education abroad. The impact would ultimately depend on the final structure of the proposal, including whether the fee applies to all OPT participants, particular categories of graduates, employers or another group. Those details have not yet been made clear in the reported proposal. For now, students considering US universities should note that the $100,000 OPT fee has not been introduced and remains a proposal reportedly under consideration at the Department of Homeland Security. A final decision, the categories covered and any implementation timeline would need to become clear before its actual impact on Indian and other international students can be assessed.

What the scholarship covers
The scholarship covers half of tuition fees for undergraduate or postgraduate coursework programmes at Griffith, for the full length of the degree, provided the student continues to meet ongoing eligibility conditions each term. It doesn't cover research programmes, programmes delivered in partnership with another institution, or living and relocation costs — this is a tuition-only award.

Who's eligible
Applicants need to be citizens of a country other than Australia or New Zealand, and must be new, commencing full-time students starting their programme in 2026 or 2027. A minimum GPA of 6.0 on a 7-point scale (or the equivalent) in previous academic study is required, along with meeting all standard academic and English-language entry requirements for the chosen programme. Applicants must already hold a Letter of Offer for an eligible programme before applying for the scholarship itself.

How to apply
The process runs in two steps: first apply for and secure an offer of admission into an eligible Griffith undergraduate or postgraduate coursework programme, then submit the scholarship application separately by the deadline for your intended intake, including academic records and a personal statement. A university panel reviews applications, and successful applicants must accept both their programme offer and the scholarship offer by the specified deadline — deferrals aren't permitted.

Deadlines vary by intake
Application deadlines and outcome dates differ depending on which trimester a student plans to start in, so applicants should check Griffith's official scholarships page for the specific dates tied to their intended commencement term rather than assuming a single fixed deadline applies across all intakes.

Why this matters for Indian students
Griffith runs a broader suite of international scholarships beyond this one, with partial tuition waivers ranging from 20% to 50%, and separate, fully funded research scholarships — including options tied to partnerships like CSIRO — available for postgraduate research students. But the Vice Chancellor's Scholarship remains one of the more generous coursework-specific awards on offer, given it applies across the student's entire degree rather than just a single year.

What to do next
Prospective applicants should start by identifying an eligible programme — the scholarship covers a broad range of fields including Business, Health, Engineering, IT, Sciences, Education and Law — and work backward from their target intake's deadline to ensure both the admission offer and scholarship application are submitted in time, since incomplete or late scholarship applications aren't typically reconsidered after the deadline passes.

Addressing a press conference in Melbourne, Misri said Indian authorities had raised concerns regarding recent changes in Australia's visa assessment process and reports of delays in the processing of student visa applications. The issue has attracted attention among Indian students planning higher education in Australia, one of the most popular overseas study destinations for Indian applicants.

Misri said the matter was discussed during interactions between Indian and Australian leaders throughout the day. According to him, both sides emphasized the importance of strengthening people-to-people ties, which remain a key pillar of the India-Australia relationship.

He noted that Australian authorities acknowledged that certain visa verification procedures have become more rigorous than before. However, they also conveyed that the changes were intended to strengthen the integrity of the system and would not reduce opportunities for genuine and qualified students from India.

The Foreign Secretary also dismissed speculation that Australia was considering a halt on new student visa applications from Indian applicants. Referring to reports circulating on various platforms, Misri said there was no indication that such restrictions were being planned.

According to him, Australia has reassured India that legitimate students seeking higher education in Australian institutions will continue to be welcomed and that access to educational opportunities will remain open and fair.

The issue comes at a time when educational cooperation has emerged as a major component of bilateral engagement between the two countries. Australia hosts a large Indian student population, with thousands of students enrolling each year in universities and vocational institutions across the country.

Misri said India remains confident that Australia will continue to provide a transparent and accessible environment for students pursuing academic and professional goals abroad. He added that student mobility and academic exchanges are important elements of the broader strategic partnership between the two nations.

The remarks came as Prime Minister Modi participated in the “Melbourne Meets Modi” community event during his visit. The programme highlighted the growing contribution of the Indian diaspora to Australian society and the deepening ties between the two countries.

Speaking at the event, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese praised the Indian community for its role in Australia's economic and social development. He said Indian-origin professionals have helped address skill shortages in critical sectors such as healthcare and information technology while also contributing to entrepreneurship and innovation.

Albanese also acknowledged the contribution of Indian students to Australia's education sector. He said many students from India continue to choose Australia as a destination for higher studies and long-term career development, particularly in the state of Victoria.

Education has become one of the strongest links between India and Australia in recent years, alongside trade, technology, defence cooperation and people-to-people exchanges. The assurances provided during the visit are expected to offer clarity to prospective students and their families amid concerns over changing visa procedures.

Further details regarding any future policy adjustments are awaited, but both governments have indicated that educational engagement will remain an important area of cooperation in the years ahead.

The initiative comes at a time when the rising cost of overseas education remains one of the biggest challenges for students seeking admission to foreign universities. Tuition fees at many US institutions can range between $25,000 and $45,000 annually, making financial assistance a crucial factor in study-abroad decisions.

Among the scholarships being offered, the “Invitation to Idaho” scholarship has attracted significant attention because eligible students do not need to submit a separate application to be considered.

Automatic Scholarship for Eligible Students

According to the university, students admitted for the Fall 2026 intake or those transferring to complete their degree programmes at the University of Idaho may automatically qualify for the scholarship, subject to eligibility requirements.

The award provides a substantial reduction in tuition costs. Under the scheme, the annual tuition fee can be reduced from approximately $29,016 to $13,294, representing a discount of nearly 50 percent. The financial benefit can significantly ease the burden on international students and their families.

University officials have indicated that the scholarship may be renewable for up to four years, provided students continue to meet the institution’s academic and enrollment requirements.

Growing Interest in US Education

The announcement is expected to generate interest among Indian students, who continue to represent one of the largest international student communities in the United States. Over the past few years, demand for undergraduate and postgraduate education in the US has remained strong despite increasing education costs and currency fluctuations.

Experts in international education note that scholarships and tuition discounts have become increasingly important for students comparing study destinations. Financial aid opportunities often play a decisive role in university selection, particularly for families seeking quality education at a manageable cost.

Opportunity Beyond Financial Support

Apart from tuition assistance, international students at the University of Idaho gain access to academic resources, research opportunities, campus facilities, and industry-oriented programmes designed to enhance employability and career development.

Education consultants say students planning to apply for overseas programmes should carefully review scholarship eligibility criteria, academic requirements, and application deadlines to maximize their chances of receiving financial support.

With tuition costs remaining one of the biggest concerns for international applicants, the University of Idaho’s scholarship initiatives could provide a valuable opportunity for Indian students aiming to turn their American education aspirations into reality.