As the fall semester of 2025 unfolds, universities across North America are grappling with a dramatic decline in international student enrollment, a trend that is sending shockwaves through academic communities and local economies alike. Immigration data released in late August paints a sobering picture: in July 2025, the number of Indian students heading to the United States for higher studies dropped by half compared to the same month last year, according to figures cited by Forbes. Overall, only 76,519 international students entered the U.S. on visas that month, a staggering 28.5% decrease from 106,993 in July 2024, as reported by the U.S. International Trade Administration. These numbers, sourced from U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Arrival and Departure Information System, do not include arrivals from Canada and Mexico, but the downward trend is clear.
This sharp decline is not just a statistical blip—it’s the result of a confluence of policy changes, administrative hurdles, and shifting global preferences. Under President Donald Trump, the U.S. government has implemented a series of measures making it harder for foreign students to study and work in the country. In June 2025, Trump issued a proclamation blocking foreign nationals from enrolling in or joining exchange programs at Harvard University, citing national security concerns. Although a temporary restraining order has paused this move, it signaled a broader push to tighten international student admissions at select institutions.
The crackdown didn’t stop there. Over 6,000 student visas have been revoked this year due to overstays and other violations, with some cases reportedly linked to alleged ties to terrorism. The vetting process has grown increasingly rigorous, with deeper social media checks and tougher entry screenings. For students hoping to remain in the U.S. after graduation, uncertainty looms over the H-1B visa program, which may soon prioritize higher-salaried applicants—potentially shutting out many recent graduates and early-career professionals. The Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, a vital pathway for STEM graduates to gain work experience, is also under threat, as the administration has floated the idea of phasing it out, arguing that it takes jobs from American workers.
The impact is already being felt on campuses. At the University at Buffalo, classes began this week with about 750 fewer international students than expected. Tomás Aguirre, the school’s dean of students, welcomed the newcomers from over 100 countries, acknowledging the hurdles they’d overcome: “We know you have had to overcome hurdles to be here – especially this summer, with visas. And I just wanted you to know that we are so glad you were able to make it,” he told the assembled students, according to NPR.
For many, the process was grueling. Daria Tofan, a freshman from Romania, shared, “For me, the main thing is that I got here. It was awful.” Shivaka Sing, a psychology major from New Delhi, described joining a group chat of Indian students, many of whom couldn’t secure visa appointments in time and are now transferring to the U.K. or deferring their studies. “Most of them are now transferring to the U.K. because of the visa situation,” she explained. “Some are planning to defer to the spring semester.”
The University at Buffalo is not alone. Arizona State University reported a fall semester decline in international students for the first time since 2020, and universities in Texas, Missouri, and Illinois are seeing similar drops. Massachusetts is expecting about 10,000 fewer new international students this year. Fanta Aw, head of the Association of International Educators (NASFA), described the situation as “very much in flux with tremendous levels of uncertainty.” Her organization predicts a drop of about 150,000 new international students nationwide this fall, translating to a 15% overall decline. If these projections hold, local economies could lose up to $7 billion in spending and more than 60,000 jobs.
“The loss of international students will lead to a significant downturn in innovation,” Aw told NPR. “This will affect communities large and small.” The economic and cultural contributions of international students are well documented. Last year, more than a million international students studied in the U.S., contributing about $43 billion to the economy. As Scott Webber, provost at the University at Buffalo, emphasized, “Our international students do not take spots, you know for other students who are qualified to attend and would be successful here.” He added, “What they bring to the university is this incredibly rich, diverse cultural experience for students who may not have ever been outside of New York state. They really bring a different flavor to campus.”
The policy shifts are not limited to the United States. North of the border, Canadian universities are also feeling the pinch. On August 26, 2025, Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) in British Columbia announced a new round of layoffs, citing a nearly 60% drop in international student enrollment compared to Fall 2023. Only about 2,360 international students are expected this semester, down sharply from previous years, according to a memo shared with Daily Hive. The decline is attributed to federal government changes since December 2023, which have made it harder for foreign students to obtain study permits. Lengthy processing times and increased denial rates are now the biggest barriers, KPU Acting President Diane Purvey explained in the memo.
The financial implications are severe. KPU projects revenue to be $5 to $10 million lower than forecast in the 2025-26 budget. The university must eliminate between 40 to 45 full-time equivalent positions by March 2026, with about 20 open positions already cut and most temporary contracts not being renewed. Earlier layoffs projected a $49 million fall in international tuition and fees revenue for Fiscal 2026. Mark Diotte, president of the Kwantlen Faculty Association, warned, “That scale is unprecedented at KPU and will directly affect students through fewer course options, reduced program capacity, and longer times to graduate.”
The challenges are compounded by federal policy changes. In October 2024, the Canadian government announced that the number of new international student study permits issued in 2025 would be 10% less than the 2024 target of 485,000 permits. The fast-track visa program for international students from 14 countries ended in November 2024, and as of June 2025, international students in Canada in non-degree programs for 178 fields of study are no longer eligible for Post-Graduation Work Permits. These fields were cut because they are no longer linked to jobs in long-term labour shortages, according to Immigration, Refugee, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
While the U.S. and Canada tighten their borders, other countries are stepping in to attract international students. The United Kingdom, in particular, is poised to benefit from the current climate, as students frustrated by delays and uncertainty seek alternatives. As Forbes noted, “International students now face visa delays due to the intensified scrutiny under the Trump administration and are seeing other countries as their alternatives.”
In the midst of these policy shifts, President Trump’s public statements have sometimes struck a different tone. Speaking at the White House, he emphasized the importance of Chinese students to American universities, stating, “I like that their students come here. I like that other countries’ students come here.” He warned that without these students, “our college system would go to hell very quickly.” Yet, these remarks stand in contrast to the administration’s actions, which have made it increasingly difficult for international students to enter and remain in the United States.
As the world’s top study destinations rethink their approach to international students, the coming years will reveal whether these policy changes are a temporary correction or the start of a longer-term shift in global academic mobility. For now, the uncertainty is palpable on campuses from New York to Vancouver—and for the students whose dreams hang in the balance.
