Overview

• Government data show just over 313,000 students entered the U.S. in August, the fifth straight monthly decline and the lowest level since 2021.
• Arrivals from Asia fell 24% to about 191,000, including a roughly 45% drop from India and a 12% decline from China, while Africa fell 33% and Western Europe slipped by less than 1%.
• Through August, total student visa arrivals are down nearly 12% for the year, underscoring a broad pullback heading into the fall term.
• Recent policy moves include a temporary pause on student-visa interviews, expanded social-media screening, a DHS rule limiting stays to program length with a four-year cap, and a presidential proclamation imposing a $100,000 H-1B application fee.
• Universities and advocacy groups warn of significant financial and research impacts, citing NAFSA estimates of roughly $7 billion in potential revenue losses under steep enrollment drops and noting prior contributions of about $44 billion and 400,000 jobs in 2023–24.