New Delhi: The United States could see a sharp decline in international student enrolment in Fall 2026, with tighter visa rules, limited appointment availability and shifting immigration policies creating growing uncertainty for students, including thousands of Indians aspiring to study in the country.
According to an analysis by the National Association of Foreign Student Advisers (NAFSA) and JB International, international student enrolment at US colleges and universities is projected to decline by 9.5 per cent, or around 111,000 students, in Fall 2026.
The projected decline could reduce the international student population from approximately 11.69 lakh in the 2025-26 academic year to around 10.57 lakh. The impact is expected to extend beyond universities, with the US economy potentially losing nearly $3.4 billion in economic activity and around 39,000 jobs being put at risk.
Indian students among those affected
India remains one of the largest sources of international students for American universities. Nearly 3.63 lakh Indian students were enrolled in various courses across US institutions during the 2024-25 academic year.
For Indian students, the changing visa environment could mean longer waits, greater uncertainty and increased difficulty in planning their academic journeys. However, the projected fall in international enrolment could also strengthen the negotiating position of students and universities, as American institutions become increasingly concerned about losing talented international applicants to competing destinations.
Visa policies create additional hurdles
The decline has been attributed to reduced demand, stricter visa policies, limited appointment availability and broader regulatory uncertainty. The US State Department’s prioritisation of FIFA World Cup 2026 ticket holders for visa appointments over students has added another layer of difficulty during the crucial admission season.
NAFSA CEO Fanta Aw warned that driving international students towards more welcoming countries could hurt American universities, research institutions, hospitals and local economies.
International students contributed an estimated $41.8 billion to the US economy in 2025-26, highlighting their importance to American higher education.
For Indian students, the developments underline the need for early visa planning and consideration of alternative study destinations while retaining the US as an option for those able to navigate the evolving visa environment.
