International student numbers at Canadian and US universities are declining amid tightening visa and immigration policies, while institutions in Asia and Europe report growth, according to new global survey findings.
The results come from the Global Enrolment Benchmark Survey by NAFSA, Oxford Test of English, and Studyportals. Icef Monitor reports that 461 universities across 63 countries provided data for the August–October 2025 intake.
North American institutions report increased visa and policy barriers
Sixty-eight percent of surveyed institutions said visa restrictions and government policies posed greater challenges this year, up from 51% in 2024. Reports inform that respondents in the US and Canada drove most of this increase.
In the US, 85% of institutions reported visa barriers as a major concern, up from 58% last year. Canadian institutions reported even higher levels at 90%.
Canadian universities recorded the steepest declines. Eighty-two percent reported lower undergraduate enrolments than in 2024, and 71% reported declines at the postgraduate level. In the US, 48% of institutions reported fewer undergraduate students, while 63% reported declines at the postgraduate level.
New international enrolments fell by more than one-third for Canadian bachelor’s and master’s programmes. US institutions saw similar declines at the master’s level, with more moderate decreases for bachelor’s programmes.
One American respondent said: “Restrictive immigration policies will continue to impact international student enrollment. The proposed changes to the H-1B process and possible changes to CPT and OPT will impact decision-making regardless of the outcomes of those policy proposals.”
Asian and European universities gain new student numbers
In contrast, Asian universities reported increases in new bachelor-level enrolments, and European institutions experienced growth at the master’s level. UK universities reported moderate increases across both levels.
Icef reports that one Asian respondent stated: “The Big Four countries’ policies of restricting international student admissions have given a favorable opportunity for East Asian countries to increase their intake.”
Across all regions, fewer than half of institutions reported postgraduate growth. European institutions performed comparatively better, with 75% recording stable or increased postgraduate numbers. Only 28% of Canadian respondents reported similar results.
Affordability and housing emerge as key barriers
Recruitment challenges varied by region. UK respondents identified affordability as their most significant barrier. Asian institutions cited a lack of affordable housing, followed by general affordability, as their top concerns. Visa policies ranked as either the first or second concern in most regions.
Jamie Arrowsmith, Director of UK Universities International, said: “This report highlights the importance of affordability… It’s absolutely vital that we now have a period of sustained policy stability in our offer to international students.”
Universities prioritise diversification as financial pressures rise
Most institutions identified “diversifying into new markets” as their main priority for the next 12 months. Canadian universities (60%) and US universities (51%) expressed the strongest focus on diversification due to uncertainty in major source markets. Asian institutions differed, with “more aggressive enrolment goals” receiving slightly more support than diversification.
Financial pressures were most notable in Canada, where 60% of universities anticipate budget cuts and 50% expect staffing cuts. A Canadian respondent said: “We’re seeing sharp declines from major source markets like India and China, while interest grows in emerging regions such as Africa and Southeast Asia.”
Dr Fanta Aw, CEO of NAFSA, said: “We are navigating one of the most dynamic moments in international education… 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… to continue pressing policymakers for greater consistency and clarity.”
Read more on UK to require ETA for visa-free travellers from 2026, with exemptions for British and Dual British nationals
