India has consolidated its position as the largest source of international students in the United States for the second year in a row, according to the Open Doors 2025 report released on Monday. The report, published annually by the Institute of International Education (IIE), provides a detailed snapshot of international student mobility in the US during the 2024–25 academic year. India first surpassed China in 2023–24 after a gap of 15 years, and the latest data shows that the trend has not only persisted but strengthened, even as early indicators point to challenges ahead due to visa uncertainties and softening new enrolments.

According to the report, a total of 363,019 Indian students were studying in the United States in 2024–25, marking a substantial 9.5 percent increase from the previous year’s 331,602. Indians now constitute 30.8 percent of the 1,177,766 international students in the country. While China remains the second-largest source of international students, its numbers fell by 4 percent to 265,919, reaching its lowest level in nearly a decade. Together, India and China continue to dominate the landscape of international education in the US, accounting collectively for 53.4 percent of all foreign students.

The sustained rise in Indian student numbers can be attributed to several factors, particularly the dramatic growth in Optional Practical Training (OPT) participation, which enables international students to gain work experience related to their field of study. OPT participation among Indian students surged by 47.3 percent in 2024–25, jumping from 97,556 to 143,740 students. This growth is especially significant because it reflects the evolving aspirations of Indian students who increasingly view US education as a pathway to career opportunities and long-term professional development. More than one-third of all Indian students in the US are currently engaged in OPT.

Undergraduate enrolments also showed robust growth, increasing by 11.3 percent—from 36,053 in 2023–24 to 40,135 in 2024–25. This shift indicates a rising trend of Indian families opting for early international education pathways, likely driven by broader awareness, greater financial capacity, and the perceived value of a US undergraduate degree in global career markets.

However, the picture is more complex at the graduate level. Graduate enrolments among Indian students fell by 9.5 percent, dropping from 196,567 to 177,892. This decline comes after three consecutive years of sharp increases in Indian graduate numbers. According to the IIE, many of the students who enrolled during the post-pandemic surge are now transitioning into OPT, contributing to the dramatic jump in OPT numbers and suggesting that the graduate enrolment curve may be stabilizing at high levels rather than contracting decisively. Non-degree enrolments, which include certificate and exchange programs, also faced a decline of 12.2 percent, decreasing from 1,426 to 1,252.

The Open Doors 2025 report reaffirms that the United States remains the top global destination for international students, with a 4.5 percent increase in total international student numbers from the previous year. The 1.17 million international students in the US represent 6 percent of the total higher education population of over 19.2 million students. The report also notes that 57 percent of all international students in 2024–25 were enrolled in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields, a figure consistent with global trends and reflecting strong demand for STEM talent in the US labor market. The availability of extended OPT for STEM graduates continues to be a major driver for students choosing these programs.

While total international student numbers rose, the report raises concerns about weakening new enrolment trends. The number of new international students enrolling in US institutions for the first time in fall 2024 fell by 7.2 percent, dropping from 298,705 to 277,118. This decline appears to be accelerating in fall 2025, based on preliminary data collected through IIE’s early “snapshot” survey. According to early indicators from more than 825 US institutions, new international student enrolments for fall 2025 have declined by 17 percent. Institutions participating in the snapshot attributed the downturn to multiple factors, including ongoing visa processing delays, heightened policy uncertainties, and rising global competition from countries such as Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Germany.

The IIE clarified that it does not yet have country-specific data for fall 2025, making it impossible to determine whether Indian students are part of the decline. India has historically been one of the most resilient sources of international students for the US, but experts note that a prolonged period of uncertainty in visa issuance or work visa pathways could influence future trends.

Despite these early warning signs, the US higher education sector remains optimistic about the long-term value of international students. According to the IIE, 81 percent of US institutions continue to emphasize the academic, cultural, and social contributions that international students bring to campus, while 60 percent highlight their financial importance. International students contribute significantly to the US economy through tuition fees, living expenses, and participation in the labor market post-graduation.

Besides India and China, the next top contributors of international students in 2024–25 were South Korea with 42,293 students, Canada with 29,903, Taiwan with 25,584, and Nepal with 24,890. These numbers reflect a diversified pool of international enrolments, but the dominance of India and China remains unmatched.

The Open Doors report continues to serve as a crucial benchmark for policymakers, universities, and international education stakeholders. As institutions navigate a complex global environment shaped by political transitions, immigration debates, and competitive international education ecosystems, data from the report provides essential insights into shifting student mobility patterns and emerging priorities.

The trends identified in the 2025 edition suggest that while the United States continues to be an attractive destination for Indian students, the sustainability of this trajectory will depend on consistent visa policies, enhanced support systems for international students, and the ability of US institutions to remain competitive in an evolving global education market. The surge in OPT participation underscores the importance of work opportunities for international students and suggests that future policy decisions related to employment-based visas will significantly shape the direction of Indian student mobility.

As the US prepares for the 2025–26 academic year, institutions and policymakers will be watching closely to see whether the early signs of declining new enrolments are temporary fluctuations or indicative of deeper shifts in international student preferences. For now, India’s rise as the leading contributor of international students appears firmly established, reinforcing the strong educational ties between the two countries and reflecting the aspirations of Indian students seeking global opportunities.