International Student Enrollment Drops for First Time in 4 Years — And 96% of Colleges Blame Visa Problems

The First Decline After 4 Years of Growth

For four straight years after COVID-19, international student numbers at U.S. colleges climbed steadily. Students returned to campuses, graduate programs boomed, and enrollments recovered from pandemic lows.

That streak just ended.

The Fall 2025 Snapshot from the Institute of International Education—surveying 828 U.S. colleges representing 63% of all international students—shows overall international student totals declined 1% in fall 2025.

That 1% overall figure masks a much more concerning trend: new international enrollments crashed 17%. These are students studying at U.S. colleges for the first time—the pipeline of future students that determines whether declines continue or reverse.

57% of institutions report fewer new international students than last year. Only 29% saw increases.

After years of "come back to America" success stories, something fundamental has changed.

The Visa Application Crisis 96% of Colleges Are Experiencing

When colleges reporting enrollment declines were asked why, the answer was overwhelming: visa problems.

96% cited visa application concerns as a contributing factor—up from 85% in fall 2024.

The problems are multifaceted:

Long Wait Times: 96% of colleges report visa delays related to long wait times impacted students' ability to arrive for fall term.

Visa Denials: 91% experienced visa denials preventing admitted students from attending.

The May-June Pause: 81% were impacted by the temporary pause in visa issuance from May 27 through June 18.

One frustrated international admissions director summarized it: "We admitted them. They paid deposits. They wanted to come. Then they couldn't get visas in time for fall classes."

By October 2025, the situation had improved somewhat—the State Department's Global Visa Wait Times tracker showed 92% of locations offering F, M, and J student visas had appointments within two months. But the damage to fall 2025 enrollment was already done.

The India Enrollment Collapse

For years, India was the growth story in international education. Indian student numbers surged post-COVID, with India becoming the top sender of international students to the U.S., surpassing even China.

That growth has hit a wall.

Only 39% of institutions report stable or increased new enrollment from India—the lowest percentage among all major sending countries surveyed.

Compare that to:

• UK: 75% stable or increased
• Mexico: 71%
• Canada: 74%
• China: 56%
• South Korea: 60%

The report notes bluntly: "These declines in new enrollment from India are likely driving the overall national declinesin new enrollment."

Given India's massive population and growing middle class, the slowdown suggests systemic problems rather than declining interest in U.S. education.

Graduate Programs: The Boom Is Over

Graduate student enrollments dropped 12% in fall 2025, following a 3% decline the previous year.

This is particularly striking because graduate numbers had surged following COVID. From 2020/21 to 2023/24, international graduate students increased by nearly 175,000 students in just 3 years—from 329,000 to more than 500,000.

That explosive growth reflected pent-up demand after pandemic disruptions. The surge has ended, and numbers are correcting downward—though still above pre-pandemic levels.

Why the graduate decline?

Visa uncertainties: Graduate students face longer, more complex visa processes and often need to demonstrate financial resources for multiple years of study.

Economic concerns: Graduate programs are expensive, and uncertain post-graduation work authorization makes the investment riskier.

Competition from other countries: Canada, UK, and Australia have aggressively marketed themselves as alternatives offering clearer pathways to work authorization and potential immigration.

Meanwhile, Undergrads Keep Growing

While graduate numbers decline, undergraduate enrollment increased 2%—the second straight year of growth.

This continues a trend: undergrad enrollment was up 4% the previous year according to Open Doors 2025.

The growth reflects several factors:

Smaller graduating classes: COVID-era cohorts that entered in 2020 and 2021 were smaller due to pandemic disruptions. They graduated in spring 2024 and 2025, creating space for larger incoming classes.

Community college interest: Associate's colleges (community colleges) saw 4% growth—their fourth straight year of increases. International students are drawn to affordable U.S. education options.

Athletic recruitment: A new finding this year: 63% of institutions note international athlete recruitment contributed to enrollment growth. The U.S. offers unparalleled opportunities for international students to combine education with athletic development.

The OPT Factor: 92% Say Students Would Go Elsewhere Without It

Optional Practical Training (OPT) allows international students to work in the U.S. after graduation for 12 months (36 months for STEM fields). It's become central to the value proposition of U.S. education.

The survey asked colleges about OPT's importance. The results are striking:

92% of institutions report that without OPT, international students would likely choose other countries for their education.

Additional perspectives:

• 76% say OPT is important for recruiting students interested in work experience
• 76% cite economic benefits of OPT to U.S. businesses
• 70% note OPT enables companies to recruit and retain international talent

Think about that: Nearly every college says OPT is make-or-break for attracting international students.

This has policy implications. Any restrictions on OPT—whether reducing time allowed, limiting fields eligible, or complicating application processes—would likely devastate international enrollment.

Students aren't just buying education; they're buying education plus the opportunity to gain U.S. work experience. Remove the work component, and they'll buy from Canada, UK, or Australia instead.

Who's Still Growing, Who's Declining

The report examined new enrollment trends by country, showing which markets remain strong and which are weakening:

Strong/Stable Markets:

• UK: 75% of colleges report stable or increased enrollment
• Canada: 74%
• Mexico: 71%
• Bangladesh: 67%
• Brazil, Vietnam, Spain: 65%

Weakening Markets:

• India: 39% stable or increased (61% declining)
• Nigeria: 51%
• China: 56%
• Saudi Arabia: 58%
• South Korea: 60%

The India decline is particularly concerning given its size and recent growth trajectory. If India continues declining while other markets remain flat, overall international enrollment will keep dropping.

Where Colleges Are Focusing Recruitment

Colleges aren't giving up on international recruitment—84% still consider it a priority.

Top undergraduate recruitment markets:

• Vietnam: 55% of colleges prioritizing
• India: 49%
• Brazil: 39%
• South Korea: 39%

Top graduate recruitment markets:

• India: 57%
• Vietnam: 32%
• China: 28%
• Bangladesh: 28%

Interestingly, half of colleges (50%) are now recruiting international students already in U.S. high schools, and nearly one-third (32%) are recruiting current international undergrads to pursue graduate studies.

This "domestic international" recruitment recognizes that students already in the U.S. don't face visa uncertainties and are familiar with American higher education.

Why Colleges Still Want International Students

Despite challenges, colleges remain committed to international recruitment for multiple reasons:

Academic value: 81% cite the importance of international student perspectives

Financial: 60% note financial contributions (international students typically pay full tuition)

Strategic alignment: 56% say international recruitment aligns with institutional strategy

Funding stable or increasing: 78% report financial support for international recruitment is the same or higher than last year

This isn't primarily about money, though that matters. It's about maintaining globally-engaged campuses where American students interact with peers from around the world—preparation for working in a globalized economy.

The Support Colleges Are Providing

Given uncertainties, 95% of colleges report providing multiple support services for international students:

Near-universal supports:

• 93% provide guidance on maintaining visa status
• 92% offer advising sessions
• 67% provide mental health services
• 44% increased engagement programs to help students connect

Communication strategies expanded:

• One-on-one advising
• Email outreach
• FAQ webpages
• Newsletters
• Town halls
• Workshops

Only 18% of colleges report that international students felt unwelcome on campus—suggesting institutions have worked hard to create inclusive environments, even amid broader national debates about immigration.

The Deferrals Colleges Are Offering

Recognizing visa challenges, colleges are offering unprecedented flexibility:

72% offered deferrals to spring 2026 for students who couldn't arrive for fall term

56% provided deferrals to fall 2026

37% allowed enrollment flexibility such as:

• Starting online for first term
• Delayed start dates within fall term

Deferrals increased 39% compared to the previous year—reflecting colleges' desire to retain admitted students despite visa obstacles.

The Travel Restrictions Factor

68% of colleges cite U.S. travel restrictions impacting enrollment.

However, the report notes that students from countries listed in presidential proclamations comprise only 2% of all international students as of Open Doors 2025.

So while travel restrictions affect some students severely, they're not the primary driver of overall declines.

Student Concerns About U.S. Environment

67% of colleges report that student concerns about feeling unwelcome in the U.S. may have affected enrollment.

64% cite concerns about the broader social and political environment.

These perceptional issues are hard to quantify but clearly factor into student decisions. When choosing between the U.S., Canada, UK, or Australia, perceptions of welcome and safety matter.

International students and their families read news about immigration policies, political rhetoric, and campus climate. Even if campuses themselves are welcoming, broader national narratives shape decisions.

What This Means for Higher Education

The 1% overall decline and 17% new enrollment drop signal a troubling trend.

If new enrollments keep declining 17% annually, total international student numbers will fall dramatically within a few years as larger cohorts graduate and smaller cohorts replace them.

Financial impact: International students contribute billions to the U.S. economy. Sustained declines mean lost revenue for colleges, local businesses, and regional economies.

Academic impact: Fewer international students means less diverse perspectives in classrooms, fewer global connections for American students, and reduced research capacity in fields where international graduate students drive discovery.

Competitive impact: Students choosing Canada, UK, or Australia over the U.S. represents a loss of global influence and soft power. Future world leaders educated elsewhere may have less connection to America.

The Policy Implications

The report makes clear that visa processing is the dominant issue.

96% of colleges blame visa problems. Students want to come, colleges want to admit them, but the visa system creates barriers.

Policy solutions could include:

• Increase visa processing capacity at consulates
• Streamline application procedures
• Provide clearer timelines for decisions
• Protect programs like OPT that make U.S. education attractive

Without addressing visa bottlenecks, declines will likely continue regardless of how much colleges invest in recruitment.

The Bottom Line

International student enrollment declined 1% overall but new enrollments crashed 17%—the clearest warning sign yet that the post-COVID recovery has stalled.

96% of colleges blame visa problems. India, previously the growth engine, is now declining. Graduate enrollment dropped 12% after years of explosive growth.

92% of colleges warn that without work authorization (OPT), students will choose other countries.

Undergraduates continue growing (+2%), but that won't offset graduate and new enrollment declines long-term.

Colleges are trying everything—increased recruitment, expanded support services, flexible deferrals—but they can't fix visa processing delays and denial rates.

The U.S. still attracts global talent, but competitors are catching up fast. Canada, UK, and Australia offer clearer pathways to work authorization and fewer visa uncertainties.

As one college administrator might summarize: "We're doing our part. The visa system isn't doing its part. And we're losing students because of it."

828 colleges surveyed. 96% pointing at the same problem.

Maybe it's time someone listened.