(MENAFN) Enrollment of new international students at US colleges and universities has dropped sharply this year, as visa backlogs and the government’s stringent immigration policies take their toll, according to recent data.

The Institute of International Education (IIE) reported a 17% decrease in new international enrollments for fall 2025 — marking the largest decline outside of pandemic years in over a decade.

The survey found that nearly all institutions (96%) cited visa application challenges as a major barrier, while 68% pointed to travel restrictions. Concerns among prospective students about feeling unwelcome in the US (67%) and the broader social and political climate (64%) — fueled by anti-immigrant rhetoric from top officials — also appeared to contribute to the downturn.

Fanta Aw, CEO of the Association of International Educators, said in a statement that the US is becoming “less competitive” globally as students face difficulties securing visas. The organization estimated that the decline could result in a $1.1 billion economic loss this year. Many universities rely on higher international tuition to help keep costs lower for domestic students, meaning fewer international students may drive tuition increases.

International students contributed nearly $43 billion to the US economy and supported over 355,000 jobs during the 2024-25 academic year, according to general reports. Beyond education, many graduates fill critical roles, including healthcare positions in rural or underserved urban areas, suggesting that the current restrictions could exacerbate staffing shortages in essential fields in the coming years.

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