Students from India received a total of 130,839 F-1 student visas in 2023, marking a 14% increase from the previous year, as indicated by a recent report. This surge signifies the second consecutive year that Indian students have surpassed all other countries in obtaining US student visas. Notably, the number of F-1 visas granted in 2023 exceeds the combined total issued to the top four East Asian markets by 10,000.
According to the data presented in the report, the US issued approximately 446,000 F-1 student visas in 2023, reflecting an 8.5% rise from the 411,000 visas issued in 2022. This figure represents the highest number of student visas granted in a single year since 2016.
For those unfamiliar with the term, an F-1 student visa is intended for individuals seeking to pursue studies at a college, university, or English language institute in the US.
Upsurge in Enrollment
The report further reveals a notable 62% increase in the total number of Indian students in the US compared to 2021. In 2023, India emerged as the leading source of student population in the US, with a total of 199,861 study permits issued, encompassing F, M, and J student visas. Indian students secured more student visas than any other demographic in Canada, the United Kingdom, and the US during the same year.
Among the top 10 countries with the highest growth rates in F-1 student visas issued in 2023, seven hailed from Asia, underscoring the region’s increasing prominence in international student mobility.
Apart from India, which exhibited a commendable 14% growth rate, the remaining swiftly expanding international student markets were predominantly located in East Asia, Southeast Asia, or Africa.
Mainland China, South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan stood out as significant contributors to the US student market. Nevertheless, Indian students notably dominated the issuance of F-1 visas by a substantial margin for the second consecutive year.
Academic Trends
In 2023, Engineering Technologies experienced a remarkable 57% growth rate, followed by Interdisciplinary Studies at 43%, and Computer and Information Sciences at 34.6%, positioning them as the fastest-growing fields of study among international students. Furthermore, Computer Science emerged as the most sought-after subject within the sciences category on the technology platform in 2022.
Preferred Educational Hub
The report underscores the escalating global competition for international students in recent years. While Canada issued an estimated 515,000 student visas from January to November 2023, impending restrictive policies in other countries are anticipated to redirect more students towards choosing the US as their preferred study destination.
Notably, a temporary cap on Canadian student visas for undergraduates is projected to result in a 35% year-over-year decrease. Similarly, reductions in post-study visa durations in Australia may dampen students’ interest, while the UK has witnessed waning appeal due to policies restricting dependents from accompanying most international students. Consequently, despite a more gradual post-pandemic growth in the international student market in the US compared to other nations, the country’s relative accessibility positions it favorably for future expansion, according to the report.