The number of international students entering the United States fell by almost one-fifth in August, coinciding with the start of the new academic year, according to preliminary federal data. This decline marks another challenge for American colleges, which rely heavily on foreign students for tuition revenue.
Data from the National Travel and Tourism Office shows that international arrivals on student visas dropped 19% in August compared with the same month in 2024. While declines were also noted in June and July, August is typically the peak month for incoming international students, with 313,138 arrivals this year.
The dip has raised concerns among education experts and industry groups, who warn that lower international enrolment could affect college budgets and the global competitiveness of US institutions.
The numbers also indicate a potential reversal in the post-COVID rebound in international student enrolment. Last year, around 1.1 million international students were studying in the US, many of whom pay full tuition since they are not eligible for federal financial aid.
VISA HURDLES AND TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS IMPACT STUDENTS
Many prospective students faced difficulties securing visas this year. In late May, the US State Department temporarily paused visa interview scheduling, resuming three weeks later under new rules that included social media vetting for applicants.
Clay Harmon, executive director of the Association of International Enrollment Management, said the timing of the pause had the “maximum possible impact” on fall semester visa approvals.
Further uncertainty arose after a travel ban affecting 19 countries was announced in June. Most of these countries are in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, regions that saw the sharpest declines in arrivals: 33% from Africa, 17% from the Middle East, and 24% from Asia. India, the top source of international students in the US, saw a 45% drop.
Some students already in the US avoided travelling abroad this summer for fear of difficulties reentering the country.
STUDENT ADJUST PLANS AND LOOK AHEAD
Sara, a 2022 graduate from Iran, had planned to begin a fully funded Ph.D. in physical rehabilitation science at the University of Iowa this fall. Due to the paused visa interviews and the travel ban, her admission was deferred. She has since started applying to universities in Germany and has begun learning German, her fourth language, in preparation.
POLITICAL CLIMATE AND RISING COSTS INFLUENCE DECISIONS
Many international students and their families remain cautious about the US due to stricter immigration policies. Earlier this year, thousands of students temporarily lost their legal status, causing widespread concern before the government reversed the decision. Additionally, former President Trump has repeatedly urged colleges to limit reliance on foreign students, further intensifying uncertainty.
Zeynep Bowlus, a higher education consultant in Istanbul, Turkiye, noted that interest in US universities had been declining in recent years, largely due to financial concerns and skepticism about the value of an American degree. Policy changes in the US are adding to these worries.
OTHER DESTINATIONS GAIN APPEAL
With the US facing stricter visa scrutiny, other countries are benefiting. More Chinese students are choosing to remain in Asia, while applications to universities in the United Kingdom have surged. Elisabeth Marksteiner, a higher education consultant in Cambridge, England, advises families to be cautious and have backup plans. “A student visa has never been guaranteed, but it is especially important now,” she said.
The recent data underscores the challenges facing US higher education as it navigates visa restrictions, political uncertainty, and changing student preferences highlighting the need for both students and institutions to adapt to an evolving global landscape.
(With PTI inputs)
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