The number of US study visas issued to Indian students has grown each year, from over 96,000 in 2021 and 133,000 in 2022 to more than 140,000 in 2023. A record number of visas are expected for Indian students going to the US in 2024, as it remains the top choice for students from Southeast Asia.
Brenda Soya, a public affairs officer at the US Consulate in Mumbai, shared that the number of Indian students going to the US keeps rising. She also mentioned that every first-time student who wanted a visa appointment got one, which hadn’t happened in the past.
Mumbai has had more student visa interviews than any other place in the world. Although a quarter of international students in the US are from India, most are men, with women making up only about one-third of Indian students in the US.
This is despite a recent survey showing that many Indian women who want to study abroad prefer the US. Soya added, “There are still fewer women than men coming from India to study in the US, and we’re trying to understand why. It may be because many are choosing STEM courses, which traditionally have more male students.
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Effects of Increasing US Student Visa for Indian Students
There are more women than men on US campuses, so if you’re a woman from India, you’re part of the majority, which can be reassuring.
Brenda Soya also mentioned that Education USA fairs in India have changed. Now, both recruiters and students are more selective. Students understand that their relationship with universities is mutual and that studying in the US is more accessible than they thought. According to Shivam Gupta from MetaApply, Indian students are now better informed about what they want, focusing on affordability and choosing fields like data science and analytics.
US universities saw a 35% increase in Indian students in 2022/23 compared to 2021/22. They are now serving a more knowledgeable group of students than in the past. While 76% of Indian students still choose STEM majors, more are starting to explore non-STEM programs.
While most schools focus on STEM, we are a performing arts school,” said Palak Tejani, a recruitment specialist at AMDA. “If students want careers in theatre, films, or OTT platforms, it’s natural for them to study in the US or India.”
He added “We don’t require entry tests. Instead, students need to audition by sending us monologues, which we evaluate. We are also holding a live audition in Mumbai this November for interested students.
Sarah Burke, an international admissions counsellor at Canisius University” said, “We don’t focus on past grades or test scores; we look at the whole person instead,”. “We’re working to expand our international office and are seeing a lot of interest from regions like India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and West Africa.”
Final Words
Even though the US is still the top choice for students compared to the UK, Australia, Canada, and other popular destinations, some recent incidents have raised concerns about the safety of Indian students. Safety is a major priority for the US and its universities. Each university has its safety plan, so when students arrive on campus, they should ask about the security measures in place. Students need to know what resources are available to them, like how to contact campus officials and whether they have the necessary safety apps installed.
If you want to have updated news about studying abroad, student visas and immigration laws, you can always contact AIMS Education.
