Arrivals of Indian students on F and M visas dropped to 25,321 in August, the lowest August total since 2020, as visa delays, stricter screening and uncertainty over post-study work weigh on plans
Arrivals of Indian students in the United States on F and M visas fell 39% in August 2026 compared with August 2025, according to figures reported on October 22 and 23, 2026. The reports attribute the data to the US Commerce Department's International Trade Administration. August is the peak arrival month for the fall semester, so the figure is widely read as an early indicator of how many Indian students actually started their US studies this year.
Key Facts at a Glance
- August 2026 arrivals: 25,321 Indian students on F and M visas
- August 2025 arrivals: 41,540, so the year-on-year fall is 39%
- How low: The lowest August total since 2020, the pandemic year
- Three years of decline: Reported falls in August arrivals of about 20.3% in 2024, 44.5% in 2025 and 39% in 2026
- Against earlier peaks: About 66% below August 2024 and about 73% below the 2023 peak of 93,833
- Factors cited in the reports: Visa appointment and processing delays, expanded social media screening, stricter overall scrutiny, uncertainty about post-study work options, and the proposed OPT fees. The reports also mention a rule replacing open-ended "duration of status" admission with fixed time limits, which a court has blocked
- What the reports don't establish: They list these factors but do not measure the effect of each one. The figures cover one month and one data release, not a full-year trend
What this means for applicants
The fall is steep, but it is arrivals data for a single month, and it measures students who actually arrived, not visa applications or offers. It reflects decisions made months earlier, including visa refusals, delayed appointments and students who deferred or chose another destination. It does not mean the US route has closed, and it does not say how many Indian students will apply for later intakes.
What it does show is that more Indian students are meeting hurdles before they travel. For anyone applying for the spring or fall 2027 intakes, preparation and timing carry more weight than they did a few years ago. Applicants should also follow the OPT fee proposal closely: DHS has proposed charging institutions $70,000 for a student's first OPT recommendation and $30,000 for later ones, a proposal with public comments due on November 9, and it does not change current work authorisation.
What you can do
Start the visa process as soon as you hold your I-20, and book the earliest available interview slot, since appointment availability has been a cited cause of delays.
- Prepare complete and consistent financial documents and an application that clearly explains your study plan and your plans after the course.
- Review your online presence before your interview, as social media screening is part of the process reported by the media.
- Ask your university's international office how it is handling CPT and OPT, because your options for work experience may affect which programme you choose.
- Follow official sources for the OPT fee proposal and other rule changes, and avoid relying on social media summaries.
- Compare destinations on their current rules before deciding, since several countries have tightened their requirements this year.
IRS Study Abroad, Kottayam, helps students prepare US applications and visa files, with document checks, financial evidence and interview preparation, so your application is complete and on time in a year when delays and scrutiny are higher.
Sources: Reports of October 22–23, 2026 citing US Commerce Department International Trade Administration arrival data and the Hindustan Times; DHS proposal of October 7, 2026 on OPT fees. Figures are as reported; the underlying dataset was not reviewed.
