US student visa arrivals plummet to four-year low under Trump-era policies: What are the consequences?
The United States, long the world’s premier destination for higher education, is facing a steep decline in international student arrivals, hitting its lowest level since 2021, according to the International Trade Administration. Visa backlogs, policy restrictions, and heightened scrutiny have disproportionately impacted students from Asia and Africa, threatening university revenues, STEM talent pipelines, and America’s global academic leadership.
The United States, long the world’s premier destination for higher education, is facing a steep decline in international student arrivals, hitting its lowest level since 2021, according to the International Trade Administration. Visa backlogs, policy restrictions, and heightened scrutiny have disproportionately impacted students from Asia and Africa, threatening university revenues, STEM talent pipelines, and America’s global academic leadership.
