Over 7,000 Indian students and exchange travelers overstayed their visas in the United States in 2023.
Such figures were revealed by Immigration expert Jessica M. Vaughan in a recent hearing before the United States House Committee on the Judiciary, VisaGuide.World reports.
Following the figures, the Center for Immigration Studies’ Vaughan called on Congress to take amendments to the nation’s immigration laws into account, in particular those related to the H-1B visa program.
The H-1B visa program allows employers in the US who cannot find workers in the US to hire employees from other countries, such as IT specialists, doctors, lawyers, and architects, among others.
India Leading in US Student Visa Overstays
In 2023, around 20 percent of student and exchange visitor visa holders from a total of 32 countries overstayed their visas in the US. According to a report from the Business Standard, India, Brazil, Colombia, and China had the highest number of overstays, with Indians accounting for the most significant share or a total of 7,000 people.
Immigration expert Jessica M. Vaughan introduced the figures in a hearing on “Restoring Immigration Enforcement in America” before the US House Committee on the Judiciary.
According to the figures provided by her, the F and M visa categories have the most significant overstay rates of any of the broad categories of temporary admission.
Vaughan suggested revising visa issuance policies in order to enhance interior enforcement and also ensure that student visa applicants intend to return to their home countries post-study.
Immigration experts also proposed limiting H-1B visas for specialty occupations to two years, with extensions under specific circumstances, and also limiting annual H-1B visas to 75,000, giving priority to higher-skilled workers.
In a bid to prevent exploitative practices, Vaughan recommended reforming visa programs in order to improve American workers’ opportunities and end foreign visa sponsorships.
According to the data provided by the Ministry of External Affairs, Canada is the most significant host nation, with a total of 427,000 students from India.
In addition to Canada, the following countries are also among the top countries to host Indian students:
- The United States (337,630)
- The United Kingdom (185,000)
- Australia (122,202)
- Germany (42,997)
The H-1B visa program is among the most sought-after programs, particularly for Indians. Authorities in the US announced that from January 17, 2025, the US government would apply new changes to the H-1B visa program.
Among the changes are also streamlined processes and additional measures to ensure transparency and fairness, according to the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS).