With the 2025–26 academic year drawing to a close, next fall’s international student enrollment in the United States is now top of mind. While it’s far too early to know how admitted F-1 students will fare in securing visas during the upcoming peak season, there are ample reasons to be concerned.
As recent analyses by Shorelight and The Chronicle of Higher Education have made clear, student visa issuances by the U.S. Department of State between May and August of 2025—a critical period for international student visa applicants—fell considerably compared to the previous year: by 36 percent. A decline in visa issuance was in line with predictions made by NAFSA and JB International last July that a visa processing pause, increased and opaque social media screening requirements, and an outright travel ban would have a significant negative impact on international student enrollment, as well as short- and long-term consequences for the U.S. economy.
At the time, NAFSA joined the U.S. for Success Coalition in urging the State Department to provide expedited visa appointments and processing for all F-1 and M-1 students and J-1 exchange visitor visa applicants—and to exempt F and M students and J exchange visitors from the travel bans.
As the summer visa season approaches, we have renewed these priorities and are eagerly anticipating a response to NAFSA’s February 12 request for a meeting with the Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs at the Department of State. The letter names this summer’s FIFA World Cup as a complicating factor that may affect consular resources and visa processing capacity at certain posts. Historically, the Bureau of Consular Affairs has prioritized student and scholar visa applications during the critical May–August period, helping ensure timely campus arrivals, but there has been no indication that this practice will continue. International students and exchange visitors from 39 countries continue to be affected by both full and partial bans.
The U.S. for Success Coalition has also requested a meeting with Consular Affairs and affirmed the need for expedited processing, saying in a letter that "we need your help ensuring every qualified and vetted international student who seeks to study at one of our many academic programs is able to secure a timely visa appointment for approval in advance of their studies."
Erecting unnecessary barriers to qualified international students and scholars contributing their talents is a costly game to play, with U.S. students, communities, and economies ultimately losing out. As expressed by NAFSA Executive Director and CEO Fanta Aw, “at a time when global competition for talent is intensifying, it is more important than ever that the United States signal clarity, consistency, and welcome.”
Visit the “NAFSA Nonimmigrant Visa Toolbox for Advisers” web page for updates and additional resources, and add your name to our call on Congress to press the Department of State for visa processing improvements.