US colleges report fall in international applications; India among hardest-hit countries

More than half of US colleges and universities reported a decline in international student applications for the 2026 academic year, as visa denials, processing delays and uncertainty over post-study work options continue to weigh on demand, according to The PIE News, citing findings from the Institute of International Education's (IIE) 2026 Spring Snapshot.

The survey of 585 US institutions found that 59% recorded an overall decline in international applications for the upcoming academic year, while 63% expect overall international student enrolment to fall further next year. Nearly one in four institutions said they anticipate a substantial decline.

India among the hardest hit

India emerged as one of the biggest areas of concern. According to The PIE News, more than 60% of surveyed institutions reported a decline in applications from Indian students, amid rising visa denials and processing delays.


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The report also noted that F-1 student visas issued to Indian applicants have fallen by 62%, adding to concerns among prospective students and universities.

The findings come even though India remains the largest source of international students in the US. More than 360,000 Indian students were enrolled at American colleges and universities during the 2024/25 academic year, accounting for nearly one-third of all international students.

According to the survey, 92% of institutions expecting lower enrolment cited visa denials and processing delays as the biggest barrier. US travel restrictions and students choosing alternative destinations were also among the main reasons for the expected decline.

Sanjay Laul, founder of international recruitment platform MSM Unify, told The PIE News, "Students are not rejecting the US; they are pricing in its volatility, and increasingly, the maths favours elsewhere."

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He added that visa uncertainty has fundamentally changed how Indian families evaluate overseas education. "When a family is committing ₹50–60 lakh, often loan-financed, a coin-flip visa outcome is not a risk they can rationalise," he said.

Students increasingly look beyond the US

The report said policy uncertainty during US President Donald Trump's second term, including visa processing delays, visa revocations and concerns over the future of Optional Practical Training (OPT) and the H-1B visa programme, has prompted more Indian students to explore other destinations.

Laul told The PIE News that Germany has emerged as one of the biggest beneficiaries of this shift because of its high visa approval rates and faster processing timelines. Ireland is also attracting more Indian students for its English-language education and access to European technology employers, while the UAE continues to gain popularity because of its proximity to India and expanding network of international branch campuses.

US institutions continue global recruitment

Despite the weaker outlook, the survey found that 84% of US institutions still consider international student recruitment a strategic priority, with many maintaining or increasing recruitment budgets.

Julie Baer, deputy director of research, evaluation and learning at the Institute of International Education, told The PIE News that the continued investment in global engagement is "a powerful reminder that US colleges and universities continue to see the value of international education."