India witnessed its first decline in travel to the United States in June 2025 compared to the previous year, marking the end of a two-decade growth streak. Data from the US Commerce Department’s National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO) revealed that 2.1 lakh Indians visited the US in June, down 8% from 2.3 lakh in June 2024. Provisional figures for July showed a further 5.5% year-on-year drop. The slowdown is part of a larger global trend, as overall international visitor arrivals to the US fell 6.2% in June 2025. Similar declines were seen in May (7%), March (8%), and February (1.9%), though January and April registered modest gains of 4.7% and 1.3%, respectively.
India Holds Strong Position in US Tourism Despite Fluctuations
Despite the fall, India continues to rank as the fourth-largest source market for US travel. After Mexico and Canada, which benefit from land connectivity, India is the second-largest overseas market after the UK. Along with Brazil, these five countries accounted for nearly 60% of all international arrivals to the US in June. Month-wise data shows fluctuations: while April and May 2025 recorded steady or marginal growth, June and July reflected clear declines.
Tourism experts, however, caution against attributing the dip solely to the policies of President Trump’s second term. A leading travel agent explained that delays in visa issuance, particularly affecting students who had secured college admissions, were a significant factor. Visiting friends and relatives, business trips, and student travel remain dominant categories, while leisure travel to the US has traditionally lagged behind destinations like Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.
Visa Delays and External Events Weigh on Indian Travel Trends
India’s sizable diaspora of over 50 lakh continues to support steady demand, though experts warn that stricter visa rules and longer appointment delays may pose risks in the future. Travel disruptions were also linked to external factors, including the Pahalgam terror attack, closure of Pakistan’s airspace, and the Air India Ahmedabad crash. The tourism ministry noted that outbound travel remained strong overall, with 29 lakh Indians traveling abroad in April 2025, mainly to the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Singapore, and the US.
Summary:
India’s travel to the US fell in June 2025, ending a two-decade growth streak, with arrivals down 8% year-on-year. Experts cite visa delays, stricter rules, and external disruptions as key factors. Despite challenges, India remains the fourth-largest US travel market, while overall outbound Indian tourism continues to grow strongly.
