The Open Doors Report, 2021 states that the United States remains a top destination for international students, welcoming over 9,14,000 of them from over 200 places of origin. Indian students comprised nearly 20 per cent of this number, with 167,582 students in the 2020-2021 academic year.
The US remained open and welcoming to international students throughout the global COVID-19 pandemic. Last year, the US government and US higher-education institutions implemented measures to safely welcome international students in person, online, and via hybrid learning methods.
Speaking at the release of the Open Doors report on international student mobility, Minister Counsellor for Consular Affairs Don Heflin said, “Despite the global pandemic, Indian students were able to apply for visas and travel to the United States. We issued over 62,000 student visas this summer alone, more than in any previous year. This goes to show that the United States remains the destination of choice for Indian students looking to study abroad. We look forward to issuing many more visas in the year to come, to help Indian students achieve their dreams of U.S. study.”
Counsellor for Cultural and Educational Affairs, Anthony Miranda, stated, “International student mobility is central to U.S. diplomacy, innovation, economic prosperity, and national security. The United States is the gold standard for higher education, providing world-class practical application and experience that gives our graduates an advantage in the global economy.” He added, “We value Indian students, as they build life-long connections with American peers to maintain and grow international partnerships, and to collectively address current and future global challenges.”
The 2021 Fall Snapshot of the Open Doors report, which looks forward to the 2021-2022 academic year, shows a substantial increase in student numbers this year, further affirming that international students value US education and remain committed to pursuing higher education in the United States.
The Open Doors report has been published by the Institute of International Education (IIE). IIE has conducted an annual statistical survey on international students in the United States since its founding in 1919 and in partnership with the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs since 1972.
