Overview

• The U.S. issued 313,138 student visas in August, a 19.1% year-over-year decline that marks the sharpest post-pandemic monthly drop reported this year.
• Data cited from recent reporting show regional and country hits including Africa down 32% and Asia down 24%, with India down 44% and Iran down 86% in August.
• Latin America saw notable declines, with Brazil down 6.8%, Mexico down 10%, Colombia down 16% and Peru down 11%, and separate figures indicating Venezuela down 37%.
• The State Department paused student-visa interviews for three weeks, mandated social-media reviews for F, M and J applicants and later announced restrictions affecting citizens of 19 countries.
• Secretary of State Marco Rubio directed consulates to scrutinize applicants’ online activity and has revoked thousands of student visas, while NAFSA’s Fanta Aw says confidence in the administration’s commitment to international students has eroded.