International Student Arrivals Drop 19%

"August records of international visitors' arrivals in the U.S. show 19 percent fewer international students arrived in the country as compared to the same month in 2024, according to a New York Times analysis of the data. That figure is in line with international enrollment predictions but appears to contradict Department of Homeland Security data released last month. Experts say that figure doesn't perfectly represent international enrollment declines, as it leaves out current international students who did not leave the U.S. over the summer."

"The data also doesn't capture those who entered the country in September because their institution started later or offered an extension that allowed them to arrive after the start of the semester. Still, the figure from the National Travel and Tourism Office is one of the more definitive looks so far at how visa delays affected international student enrollment, especially considering the State Department hasn't released visa-issuance data since May."

""If we take the entry data as reliable, then I would say it's not a surprise to anyone in the field that we saw a reduced number of I-94 entries this August. It very much tracks with what we expected based on the unprecedented and, in the view of many in the field, entirely unnecessary freeze on visa interviews that happened during the peak time for visa interview globally,""

August arrivals showed a 19 percent year-over-year decline in international student entries to the U.S., per a New York Times analysis. The decline aligns with international enrollment predictions but appears to contradict Department of Homeland Security data. The arrival figure undercounts total enrollment because it omits students who remained in the U.S. over summer and those who entered in September after later or extended start dates. The National Travel and Tourism Office data serves as a practical proxy for fall enrollment because most students arrive in August and the State Department has not published visa-issuance data since May. Colleges reported lower international enrollments, and experts linked the drop to visa-interview freezes and reduced consular capacity.

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