US sees sharp 17% drop in foreign student numbers as visa hurdles rise

NEW YORK CITY, New York: New research released on November 17 shows that enrollment of new international students at U.S. universities has fallen by 17 percent this autumn compared with previous years. The decline comes as the Trump administration has tightened rules for obtaining student visas, with delays and denials cited as primary reasons fewer first-time students are arriving. Overall, the total number of international students in the U.S. fell by one percent when including those enrolled for several years. International students make up about six percent of all U.S. college enrollment and contributed US$55 billion (£41 billion) to the economy in 2024, according to the Commerce Department. The findings come from a survey by the Institute of International Education that covered 828 colleges and universities. Clay Harmon, executive director of AIRC, told the Associated Press he was worried about what the trend could mean for enrollment in 2026 and 2027. The 17 percent drop is smaller than a summer forecast by NAFSA, an international educators group, which predicted a 30 percent to 40 percent decline due to visa issues. About 84 percent of universities said recruiting foreign students remains a priority, and many institutions are offering flexibility to students facing difficulties, including more deferrals — up 39 percent from the previous year. Universities cited several factors behind the decline in new students: visa problems, travel restrictions affecting around two percent of international students, and concerns among some students about feeling unwelcome in the U.S. The White House has taken a series of steps that have reduced the number of foreign students, who often pay higher tuition. Earlier this year, the administration paused visa appointment scheduling. When appointments resumed in June, officials announced stricter screening, including requiring applicants to allow checks of their social media accounts. The move followed widespread pro-Palestine protests on U.S. campuses. Before that, the State Department revoked more than 6,000 student visas for violations including assault, driving under the influence, and "support for terrorism." President Donald Trump has acknowledged that foreign students are essential to both the U.S. economy and university finances. In September, he said he plans to issue 600,000 Chinese student visas — roughly double the current number — despite concerns from some supporters about national security. "You know, the students pay more than double when they come in from most foreign countries," Trump said on Fox News. "I want to see our school system thrive… I view it as a business."