Stricter U.S. Immigration Rules Trigger Sharp Fall in First‑Year International Applications

The Common Application reports that only 148,780 first‑year international students applied for the 2025‑26 admissions cycle, roughly 16,000 fewer than the previous year. Applications from Asia dropped 11% and those from Africa fell 17%.

These numbers contrast with a decade of growth: first‑year international applicants rose from 80,312 in 2014‑15 to 96,320 in 2018‑19, rebounded to 107,112 in 2020‑21, and then began to slip in 2024‑25. At the same time, U.S. first‑year domestic applicants increased by 4%.

Analysts link the downturn to the Trump administration’s restrictive immigration policies, which created greater uncertainty for students from 39 countries, slowed visa processing during peak periods, and introduced a new four‑year maximum stay starting 15 September. The administration also signaled plans to reform the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, a key work pathway for international STEM graduates. Rodney Hughes, a senior data scientist at Common App, explained that worries about visa difficulty can make prospective students hesitant to apply.

A joint analysis by NAFSA: Association of International Educators and JB International warned that the United States could lose up to $3.4 billion in economic activity and nearly 40,000 jobs in the next academic year if international enrollment continues to fall. The Institute of International Education (IIE) projects a 9.5% decline in overall international student enrollment for 2026‑27 – about 111,000 fewer students – reducing total enrollment to 1.057 million from 1.169 million.

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