For the first time since 2001 (except during the Covid years), the number of Indians visiting the United States went down in June 2025 compared to the same month last year. Data from the US Commerce Department’s National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO) shows that 2.1 lakh Indians travelled to America in June, which is 8% less than the 2.3 lakh visitors in June 2024.
Trend spills in July
Provisional figures for July also showed a slowdown, with a 5.5% drop compared to last year. This decline is part of a larger trend of fewer international travellers entering the US.
NTTO data shows that the total number of foreign visitors to the US fell 6.2% in June, 7% in May, 8% in March, and 1.9% in February. Only January saw a 4.7% increase, while April showed a small rise of 1.3%.
Student visas take a hit
Travel industry experts say it may be too early to directly blame the recent fall in Indian visitors to the US on President Trump’s stricter visa policies in his second term. Since most Indians travel on 10-year multiple-entry business or visitor visas (B1/B2), those who already have them can continue visiting. The real impact may show later if new visas face delays or tougher approval rules, a report by Times of India said.
A leading travel agent told TOI that the student segment, however, is already facing problems. Many students who secured admission to US colleges this year were held back by delays in getting visas. Traditionally, the biggest groups of Indian travelers to the US have been students, business visitors, and those visiting friends and relatives. The US was never a top leisure choice for Indians, with Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Europe attracting more holidaymakers. For now, only students are hit hard, but if visa issuance slows further, other groups will also feel the effect over time.
Strong demand but recent setbacks
The US continues to attract strong travel demand from India, especially because of the large diaspora of over 50 lakh people. NTTO data shows that every June since 2001 had recorded growth in Indian visitors until 2025 broke the trend.
Outbound travel from India was strong earlier this year. In April, 29 lakh Indians went abroad, with the highest numbers heading to the UAE, followed by Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Singapore, and then the US. But after May and June, several incidents disrupted travel like the Pahalgam terror attack, Pakistan’s continued airspace closure for Indian carriers, and the Air India Ahmedabad crash. These events affected long-haul destinations badly, and the fall in Indian travel to the US is likely part of this wider decline for western countries.
India still among top sources of international visitors to US
Even with the decline, India remains the fourth biggest source of international visitors to the US. After Canada and Mexico, which share land borders with America, India is the second-largest overseas market after the UK. Brazil is fifth on the list. According to NTTO, these top five countries together made up 59.4 per cent of all international arrivals in June.