Just this week, a US State Department official divulged that over 6,000 international student visas (aka F-1 visa) were revoked this year over violations, including overstays and “support for terrorism.” Now, a new emerging report has pushed even more shocking figures, drawing attention to how the Donald Trump administration’s immigration crackdown has become a major red flag repelling foreign nationals from US colleges and universities.
The number of international visitors arriving in the US on student visas dropped altogether in July, staying just under 79,000. The 28% decrease makes for the biggest monthly slump in 2025, according to Bloomberg’s analysis of the US International Trade Administration data.
Asia student arrivals in US: Concerning numbers emerge
Since India and China have long been the two largest sources of foreign students for the country, nationals from the respective countries particularly took a significant hit. Student arrivals from India fell by 46% while those from China dropped by 26% as visitors to the US on student visas slipped year-on-year for fourth month.
Nearly 332,000 Indian students enrolled in US higher education institutions in the 2023-24 school year, making for the largest international group, followed by China with about 277,000. According to Open Doors data, international student enrollments hit a record total of 1.1 million that year.
As per Bloomberg’s report, US institutions are already estimating about 30% decline in first-time foreign student enrollment on campuses this fall. The consequential outcome is bound to reel in a staggering economy loss, estimated at $2.6 billion in tuition revenue, for the United States.
Previous US report indicated $7 billion hit to economy, 60K layoffs
On the contrary, NAFSA: Association of International Educators and JB International’s estimates based on recent date from the US Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) and the Department of State showed that the US could end up losing out on 150,000 student enrollments this fall. With late August-early September marking the new academic semester, the projected snub from international students’ side is expected to cost the higher education sector nearly $7 billion, in turn, affecting over 60,000 jobs across US cities.
NAFSA CEO Fanta Aw is already calling it “one of the most significant drops in international enrollment in recent times.”
Although their predictions remain starkly different than the August 19 (local time) Bloomberg report, Zuzana Cepla Wootson, deputy director of federal policy at the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, called out “real reasons for concerns” in light of the billions-worth US economy hit.
“It’s part of a broader pattern under this administration. The travel ban, expanded screening processes, appointment backlogs — all these create uncertainty for students from China, India and beyond,” said Wootson.
The nearly 50% drop in Indian student arrivals in the US in July comes after the Trump government announced it would halt interviews for students visas in late May. While a June announcement brought about their resumption, additional social media vetting policies and enhanced scrutiny of foreign nationals have presented major setbacks, including visa delays and backlogs.