A new NAFSA-backed survey found that nearly half of U.S. institutions reported declines in undergraduate international enrollment and 63% reported lower postgraduate enrollment this year. Respondents cited visa restrictions and government policy as the primary barriers; 85% of U.S. institutions named visa policy as a major constraint. The report also shows that Asia and Europe are absorbing much of the redirected student flow while U.S. campuses consider new recruitment markets, budget cuts, and expanded online offerings to compensate. For campus recruiters and finance officers, the data signal a sustained need to diversify international pipelines, adjust tuition revenue forecasts, and press policymakers for predictable visa processing and clearer guidance.
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