The Global Enrolment Benchmark Survey by NAFSA, the Oxford Test of English and Studyportals revealed that over two thirds of institutions (68%) consider visa restrictions and government policies as barriers to international enrolments.
The US in particular, where the sector has weathered an onslaught of hostile immigration policies from the second Trump administration, is finding visa restrictions a challenge – with 85% now citing this as a major concern, up from 58% in 2024.
The survey of 461 universities across 63 countries asked about international enrolments for the 2025/26 academic year, with Canada and the US reporting steep drops in numbers. Meanwhile, major markets across Europe and Asia could be set to benefit, with these regions reporting growth.
One US-based survey respondent warned that restrictive immigration policies would continue to harm international student enrolments. “The proposed changes to the H-1B process and possible changes to CPT and OPT will impact decision-making regardless of the outcomes of those policy proposals,” they said.
“We know for sure that the travel bans and pause on visa appointments negatively impacted degree-seeking international students planning to come to our university this fall,” said another.
Although the US is seeing losses, Canada appears to be the region hardest hit by declining international enrolments. At undergraduate level, 82% of Canadian universities and 48% of US universities reported lower enrolments, whereas these numbers stood at 71% and 63% respectively at postgraduate level.
NAFSA executive director and CEO Fanta Aw pointed to “one of the most dynamic moments in international education” – which she said was “driven in no small part” by shifting US visa and immigration policy.
“The ripple effects of these policy changes are being felt across campuses and communities around the world,” she added.
The Canadian sector has also weathered its share of challenges over the past year due to restrictive policies, including a cap on study visas as the country grappled with a post-pandemic student boom.
Half of the Canadian institutions surveyed said they would cut staff in the next year, whereas 60% said they expected to cut budgets.
Edwin van Rest, CEO and co-founder of Studyportals, said higher education would “remain international”, while the race for talent would only intensify “even if some governments don’t have their eye on that ball for a while”.
“The fact that international education is becoming more symmetrical, new destination countries are emerging and thriving is a very positive development,” he added.
The big four countries’ policies of restricting international student admissions have given a favourable opportunity for East Asian countries to increase their intake
Respondent, Global Enrolment Benchmarking Survey
Meanwhile, market headwinds in North America could be creating opportunities for other study destinations.
One Asian university respondent said: “The big four countries’ policies of restricting international student admissions have given a favourable opportunity for East Asian countries to increase their intake.”
Over a third (36%) of Asian universities, 43% of European universities and 42% of UK universities reported undergraduate growth and all three regions reported an increase in enrolments at postgraduate level.
However, the UK sector, with several international education policy reforms on the horizon, is also facing challenges, according to the survey.
Almost three quarters (72%) of UK universities said tuition and living costs are a key barrier to international enrolments, up from 58% in last year’s survey. It comes as the UK prepares to place a levy on the income universities make from international student fees – although Wales has indicated it will not adopt the policy.
Studyportals said its analysis of student search behaviours indicated they international students can be very price sensitive. It said a 6% fee increase – the projected figure it is expected most UK institutions will charge to cover the costs of the levy – could slash demand by more than 15%.
UUKi director Jamie Arrowsmith said the survey’s report highlighted the importance of affordability for many students. “This means that most institutions will have to absorb the cost to remain competitive,” he warned.
Elsewhere, Arrowsmith welcomed the survey results showing that students value the UK’s Graduate Route. “That’s why it’s absolutely vital that we now have a period of sustained policy stability in our offer to international students,” he added.
Meanwhile, Aw stressed the need for the international education sector to push policymakers for change. “This moment calls on our higher education institutions to be nimble and deeply attuned to the needs of their students – and it calls on us, as an ecosystem, to continue pressing policymakers for greater consistency and clarity throughout the international student journey,” she said.
