US Sees 22% Drop in Student Visas as Policy Shifts Spark Global Concern
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The United States is facing a significant downturn in international student visa issuance, with a 22% drop in F-1 student visas recorded in May 2025. Experts warn that further declines are likely as the full impact of a late-May visa interview freeze and ongoing policy shifts takes hold.
Alongside the F-1 student visa fall, J-1 exchange visa issuance also dropped by 13% year-on-year, raising alarm within the international education community. Zuzana Cepla Wootson of the Presidents’ Alliance called the developments “seriously concerning”, urging institutions to brace for deeper disruptions.
The freeze on visa interviews, which ran from May 27 to June 26, came at the peak of visa processing season. However, Wootson stressed that the policy was not the only factor behind the declines, pointing also to recent SEVIS record terminations, a controversial travel ban, and growing processing delays.
Students from high-demand countries like India continue to face difficulties in securing appointments, with US embassy websites in India and Japan warning they “cannot guarantee” new bookings this summer. Notably, Indian students experienced a sharp 44% decline in F-1 visas issued in May, particularly troubling for what has been the largest source market for the US.
New rules around social media screening and administrative processing are causing further application slowdowns. While visa rejections based solely on social media activity remain unconfirmed, the lack of transparency in consular decisions adds to student anxiety.
Meanwhile, visa issuance has collapsed in some regions down 65% for Iran, 64.5% for Myanmar, and 46% for Venezuela countries all targeted in Donald Trump’s recent travel ban.
Despite these drops, some emerging markets like Vietnam, Zimbabwe, and Bangladesh have shown growth, suggesting a shift in the global student landscape. Still, institutions across the US are bracing for lower enrolments this autumn. According to NAFSA, 73% of surveyed institutions anticipate a decline.
As global competitors like the UK and Australia gain market share, calls are mounting for the US to urgently stabilise its international education policies.
Source: THE PIE NEWS
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