UK Student Numbers Fall 19% as Visa Rules Push Students to Asia
International undergraduate numbers fell 19% in Britain and 13% in the US as visa barriers push students to Asia and Europe, a survey of 437 universities finds.
Image: Wikimedia Commons / David Silver, CC BY-SA 2.0
AMSTERDAM, Nov. 12, 2026 — International students are turning away from the United States and Britain in favour of universities in Asia and continental Europe, a global survey of 437 universities in 63 countries showed on Thursday, as tighter visa rules redraw the map of higher education. International undergraduate numbers fell 19% in Britain and 13% in the United States in the August-to-October intake compared with a year earlier, according to the Global Enrolment Benchmark Survey, conducted by Studyportals, NAFSA and Oxford Test of English.
International students typically pay far higher fees than domestic students and are a major source of revenue for universities, helping fund teaching and research. Canada and Australia also saw weaker demand, while universities in Asia and Europe reported stronger international enrolment growth, the survey found.
Key Takeaways
- International undergraduate numbers fell 19% in Britain and 13% in the United States in the August-to-October intake.
- 62% of institutions in the four big English-speaking destinations reported falling postgraduate enrolments, against 27% elsewhere.
- 73% of universities named restrictive government policies and visa problems as a significant obstacle to recruitment.
- More than a third of American institutions expect enrolments to fall further.
Why Are International Students Leaving the US and UK?
Visa restrictions and government policies were the biggest barriers to recruitment, the survey found, with processing delays, tougher screening and changes to post-study work rules prompting students to defer or abandon plans to enrol.
The United States has tightened scrutiny of international students, expanding social media checks, revoking thousands of visas and imposing tougher rules on how long students can stay. Proposed fees for Optional Practical Training and H-1B visas have cooled interest further, universities said.
Britain has tightened student visa rules, restricting most international students from bringing dependants and planning to shorten the time graduates can stay to work.
How Much Have International Enrolments Fallen in the US and UK?
Almost four in five British institutions, 79%, reported lower postgraduate enrolments, up from 50% a year earlier. In the United States, 59% reported declining postgraduate enrolments, with an average fall of 13%. Nearly six in ten American colleges lost foreign graduate students and 45% enrolled fewer foreign undergraduates, the survey's United States results covering 203 institutions found.
Across the four big English-speaking destinations, 46% of institutions reported lower undergraduate enrolments, against 26% elsewhere. Nine in ten American respondents cited restrictive federal policies as a significant obstacle.
| Destination | Undergraduate numbers | Postgraduate numbers |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Down 19% | 79% lower |
| United States | Down 13% | 59% lower; average fall 13% |
| Four English-speaking destinations | 46% lower | 62% lower |
| All other destinations | 26% lower | 27% lower |
Which Countries Are Gaining International Students Instead?
Universities in Asia and continental Europe reported stronger international enrolment growth, the survey found, as students look beyond the United States and Britain. Affordability is compounding the shift: 46% of institutions named tuition and living costs as a significant issue, while accommodation worries rose from 14% to 21%.
In the United States, the financial pressure goes beyond tuition: the Treasury Department has moved to collect overdue student loans through debt collectors.
The survey was conducted in October, before the November 3 midterm elections in which Democrats won control of both chambers of Congress. The president retains executive authority over visa rules.
"These survey results affirm what we've observed before: national policies matter to international students making major decisions about where to study, conduct research, or start a career," Dr Fanta Aw, NAFSA's chief executive, said.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are international students leaving the US and UK?
Visa restrictions and government policies are the biggest barriers, the survey found, with processing delays, tougher screening and changes to post-study work rules prompting students to defer or abandon plans. About seven in ten named visas or policy as the biggest negative influence.
How much have international student numbers fallen in the US?
International undergraduate numbers fell 13% in the United States in the August-to-October intake, and 59% of American institutions reported declining postgraduate enrolments, averaging a 13% fall. Nearly six in ten colleges lost foreign graduate students, and 45% enrolled fewer foreign undergraduates.
Will international student numbers in the US and UK recover?
American institutions are the most pessimistic about the outlook, with more than a third expecting further falls and 44% expecting no recovery. The survey was conducted before the November 3 midterm elections, and the president retains executive authority over visa rules.
The next intake figures will show whether the shift holds.
