Kathmandu— The number of U.S. F-1 student visas issued to Indian and Chinese nationals saw a sharp decline in 2025 compared to previous years, according to a report by the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS). The reduction could have implications for American students, labor markets, and national security.

Decline in Visa Issuances

The CIS study found that Indian and Chinese nationals accounted for more than half of all international students enrolled at U.S. post-secondary institutions during the 2024-25 academic year, with India having 363,019 students and China having 265,919 students. However, F-1 visa issuances to these countries declined sharply in May-August 2025, typically the period when most student visas are issued ahead of the new academic year.

According to CIS data, the U.S. issued only 22,149 F-1 visas to Indian nationals between May and August 2025, a decline of 60% from the average number issued during the 2017-19 and 2021-24 periods. For Chinese nationals, the number fell to 40,034 in 2025, down 46% from the same period's average.

Impact on Labor Market

The report highlighted that reductions in foreign student numbers could affect the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme pipeline. According to IIE data cited by CIS, nearly 70% of OPT participants were Indian and Chinese nationals, with India representing 143,740 participants and China accounting for 61,981.

The study argued that a smaller pool of foreign workers could reduce opportunities in competitive sectors. Former Trump administration Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Edward Ramotowski noted, “Foreign students often have no nefarious intent but can be co-opted to work for their government later.”

National Security Concerns

The report also raised concerns about national security, particularly regarding Chinese students studying in sensitive fields such as STEM. Former CIA officer Joe Augustyn said, “We know without a doubt that anytime a graduate student from China comes to the US, they are briefed when they go and when they come back.”

CIS argued that reducing the number of students from China in these fields could help mitigate risks related to technology transfer and intellectual property theft.

(With inputs from ANI)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.