New international undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) enrolment has declined sharply in the United States and Canada this fall, according to a recent NAFSA survey. The study, conducted in October and involving 461 institutions across 63 countries, found widespread drops, particularly among graduate students.In the US, colleges reported an average 6% decrease in new international bachelor’s enrolment and a 19% decline in new international master’s enrolment. Of the 201 surveyed US institutions, 48% experienced lower numbers of new international undergraduates, while 63% saw reduced postgraduate enrolment. Canadian institutions reported even steeper declines, with new international bachelor’s and master’s enrolment falling by 36% and 35%, respectively, as quoted by the Higher Ed Dive.Restrictive government policies dominate concernsThe survey highlighted that government policies were the leading obstacle to international enrolment in both countries. In the US, 85% of colleges cited restrictive policies as the top concern, up from 58% in 2024. “We are navigating one of the most dynamic moments in international education, driven in no small part by shifts in US visa and immigration policy,” NAFSA Executive Director Fanta Aw said in conversation with the Higher Ed Dive.US visa processing delays and revocations, along with a proposed four-year cap on student visas, have compounded difficulties for incoming students. Canadian colleges similarly identified government restrictions as the primary barrier, with 90% of respondents citing them. European colleges outside the UK also listed restrictive policies as their main challenge.Financial pressures and enrolment strategiesBeyond government policies, tuition and living costs were the second most cited obstacle. Nearly 47% of US respondents mentioned these financial burdens as a factor in declining enrolment, as reported by the Higher Ed Dive.The NAFSA survey found that colleges are adapting to declining numbers in multiple ways. About 36% of US institutions plan to expand into new international markets, 28% are preparing budget cuts, and 26% aim to grow online programming to attract students.Global trends in international enrolmentWhile enrolment in the US and Canada fell, other regions saw growth. International student numbers increased in Asian and European countries, reflecting broader global shifts. The survey also aligns with the Open Doors report from the Institute of International Education and the US Department of State, which noted a 1% overall decline in international enrolment in more than 800 US colleges, with graduate enrolment down 12%. New international enrolment fell 17% this fall, as reported by the Higher Ed Dive.NAFSA’s findings underscore the ongoing impact of policy, financial, and logistical factors on international students, with implications for colleges’ strategic planning and global outreach.
