In August 2025, international student arrivals to the U.S. dropped by 19% compared to the previous year, largely due to visa delays, paused interviews, and policy challenges. The decline was especially sharp among students from Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, with countries like Iran, Ghana, and India seeing dramatic reductions. While official government data (SEVIS) shows a slight increase in international student enrollment, experts argue this figure is likely misleading or incomplete. Many students, particularly from India, were forced to defer their studies after being unable to secure visa appointments in time. This trend raises serious concerns for U.S. universities, which depend heavily on international students for tuition revenue and global engagement.
