New Delhi: India and China have experienced the sharpest decline in US visa approvals following a significant shift in immigration policy under the Trump administration. According to a Washington Post report published on Sunday, March 22, 2026, the US State Department issued 2.5 lakh fewer visas in the first eight months of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. This represents an 11% overall drop in approved permanent resident and temporary visas for students, workers, and family members.
The impact has been particularly pronounced for Indian and Chinese nationals, who saw a combined decrease of approximately 84,000 visas. This decline largely reflects a steep “drop-off” in international students and skilled workers from these two nations. Data reveals that student visa issuances nationwide plummeted from over 3.44 lakh in early 2024 to just 2.38 lakh in 2025. Furthermore, business and tourism visas also saw a downward trend, declining by 3.4%, or nearly two lakh visas, during the review period.
Key Findings: Visa Category Declines (Jan–Aug 2025 vs. Jan–Aug 2024)
| Visa Category | 2024 Issuances | 2025 Issuances | Percentage/Numerical Drop |
| Student Visas | 3.44 Lakh | 2.38 Lakh | ~31% Decrease |
| Family Preference | — | — | 27% (44,000+ visas) |
| Fiance/Spouse | 37,229 | 18,894 | ~49% Decrease |
| Sea & Airline Workers | — | — | 30,876 Fewer |
| Cultural Exchange | — | — | 29,594 Fewer |
White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson defended the stricter measures, stating that President Trump’s decisions reflect a “resounding mandate to put American citizens first.” State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott added that the administration views a visa as a “privilege, not a right,” emphasizing a departure from the previous administration’s approach to vetting foreign nationals.
The report suggests that these policy shifts are part of a broader effort to curb mass migration and prioritize domestic security, even as it creates significant hurdles for the global workforce and international academic exchange. For many Indian professionals and students, these numbers signal a tightening of the “American Dream” as processing times and rejection rates continue to climb.
