International students turn away from the US and Canada as policy barriers intensify

New survey reveals: Asia, Europe and UK report enrolment growth as visa and policy barriers reshape global enrolment patterns. 

When asked about major barriers to international enrolment, 68% of universities worldwide cited visa restrictions and government policies. That’s up from 51% in 2024. 

The sharpest increase was in the US, where 85% of institutions now identify visa barriers as a major concern (up from 58% in 2024). 

This is according to the newly released Global Enrolment Benchmark Survey by NAFSA, Oxford Test of English, and Studyportals. They surveyed 461 universities from 63 countries about their international enrolments in the latest intake (August–October ’25). Offering near real-time data from universities worldwide, this report lets institutions track and respond to changing demand and policy shifts well before official figures appear. 

“We are navigating one of the most dynamic moments in international education, driven in no small part by shifts in U.S. visa and immigration policy,” said Fanta Aw, executive director and CEO of NAFSA: Association of International Educators. 

She also says, “The ripple effects of these policy changes are being felt across campuses and communities around the world. 

Key findings from 461 universities across 63 countries: 

• Canada and US see sharp enrolment drops: 82% of Canadian universities and 48% of US universities reported lower undergraduate enrolments; 71% and 63% respectively for postgraduate students 

• Asia, Europe and the UK are gaining students: 36% of Asian universities, 43% of European universities, and 42% of UK universities reported undergraduate growth. At postgraduate level, growth continued across all three regions. 

• US policy and visa concerns jump sharply: 85% of US universities now see restrictive government policies and issues obtaining visas as a major problem, up from 58% in 2024. 

• Affordability barrier most cited in UK: 72% say tuition and living costs are a top barrier, up from 58% last year. This comes as the UK government plans to introduce a levy on international students.

• Meeting English language proficiency requirements is an issue for 8% of universities globally (and 15% of universities in Europe)

• Canadian institutions plan major cuts: 60% will cut budgets and 50% will cut staff in the next year, threatening education access for domestic students as well 
• Universities are diversifying fast: 40% worldwide are looking for students in new markets 

Regional enrolment trends show stark divide 

Canada and the United States are experiencing the steepest international student enrolment declines of any region, and this shift is creating opportunities elsewhere. One Asian university respondent said: “The Big Four countries’ policies of restricting international student admissions have given a favorable opportunity for East Asian countries to increase their intake.”

Canada is hit hardest. 82% of universities reported lower undergraduate enrolments (down 36% on average) and 71% lost postgraduate students (down 35% on average). 

The US also sees sharp declines. 48% of universities reported lower undergraduate enrolments (down 6% on average), while 63% lost postgraduate students (down 19% on average). 

In contrast, Asia and Europe gained. 36% of Asian universities reported undergraduate growth (up 8% on average), and 43% of European universities saw undergraduate gains (up 1% on average). At the postgraduate level, 35% of Asian and 45% of European universities reported growth. 

The UK showed mixed results. 42% of universities grew undergraduate enrolment (up 3% on average), but 50% lost postgraduate students despite 39% reporting postgraduate growth (up 3% on average). 

Looking ahead

Facing declining enrolments, universities are making major strategic shifts. 40% are diversifying into new markets beyond traditional sources like China and India.  

The financial impact is especially severe in Canada, where 60% of universities anticipate budget cuts and 50% expect staffing reductions in the next year. In the US, 26% of universities plan to expand online programs as an alternative to in-person enrolment. 

Policy can shift, and demand remains strong 

The challenges are policy-driven, which means they can be reversed. Canada, which also saw steep declines, recently exempted certain students from enrolment caps, showing how quickly governments can adjust course when they recognise the impact. 

Multiple US respondents pointed to policy—not the quality or reputation of their programmes—as the driving factor behind enrolment drops. “Students still want to study in the US,” said one. “The barriers are policy-driven.” 

Quotes from NAFSA, Studyportals & Oxford University Press

Fanta Aw, executive director and CEO of NAFSA: Association of International Educators says:

“This moment calls on our higher education institutions to be nimble and deeply attuned to the needs of their students—and it calls on us, as an ecosystem, to continue pressing policymakers for greater consistency and clarity throughout the international student journey.  

“The United States benefits enormously—economically, socially, and intellectually—from international students, and our policies must reflect that reality.” 

Universities are adapting in the meantime. By diversifying into new markets and expanding online pathways, institutions are building more resilient recruitment strategies that can withstand policy uncertainty. 

Edwin van Rest, CEO and co-founder of Studyportals says:

“Global demand for international education keeps growing, it’s a persistent force to elevate lives, enrich classrooms and connect our world. As the tides of politics ebb and flow, universities can be responsive by leveraging forward-looking data. This enables institutions to navigate uncertainty, drive innovation, and keep optimising for the long term. Higher ed will remain international and the race for talent will only speed up, even if some governments don’t have their eye on that ball for a while.

“The fact that international education is becoming more symmetrical, new destination countries are emerging and thriving, and we see e.g. a fast growing group of our American students going abroad is a very positive development.

With unified, data-driven insights, the sector is better equipped to advocate for policy environments that sustain global talent flows, enhance economic contributions, and strengthen international collaboration.

Andrew Nye, Assessment Director at Oxford University Press, says:

“Equipping institutions with timely, actionable insights to navigate the evolving landscape of international enrolments is now more important than ever. As institutions strive to attract and support a diverse student body, deploying new strategies to engage applicants from new markets, we remain committed to delivering flexible, high-quality assessment solutions that empower learners and unlock access to global academic opportunities.” 

The full report is available here.

For more information, contact Cara Skikne: caraskikne@studyportals.com