US colleges see international undergraduate enrolment plunge 20% as visa crackdown chills applications

62% of schools report falling intakes in both levels

Foreign undergraduate enrolment in US colleges has fallen by an average of 20% this spring, a coalition study says, based on a survey of 149 American schools. The decline is already showing up in both undergraduate and graduate intakes, with 62% of institutions reporting lower international enrolment. Universities blame restrictive government policies, immigration enforcement actions, paused interviews, and sharply fewer student visa issuances. With international students funding large parts of budgets, universities fear stronger pressure ahead for the fall intake.