International Students Are Leaving North America for Asia and Europe

Universities in the US and Canada are seeing a clear drop in the number of international students who are enrolling for the 2025–26 school year. At the same time, schools in Asia and Europe are seeing healthier numbers, which suggests that there has been a significant change in the way students move around the world and the overall balance of demand for higher education.

A recent survey of more than 450 universities in more than 60 countries shows that they all have the same worry. 

A lot of people who answered the survey said that visa restrictions and national immigration policies are now major obstacles to getting students to come. This feeling is strongest in North America, where schools say it is getting harder to turn student interest into actual enrollments.

North America: A Decline That Can No Longer Be Ignored

The situation in Canada is one of the most surprising results. More than four out of five Canadian colleges and universities said that fewer international students were enrolling as undergraduates this year than last year. Most of them also said that the number of students in postgraduate programs had gone down.

The same thing is happening in the United States, but not as badly. Almost half of American colleges and universities said they had fewer undergraduate students, and almost two-thirds said they had fewer graduate students.

The effects on money are already clear. In the US alone, there were a lot fewer new international students in the fall of 2025. This cost the international education sector an estimated billion dollars in tuition and thousands of jobs. Schools that depend on international students to make ends meet are getting ready for possible staff and service cuts.

One US school said that students are being affected by the ongoing uncertainty surrounding work-visa programs like H-1B and possible changes to post-study work rights like OPT and CPT even before they apply. Students will look for other options even if there is a chance that policies will change.

Why Students Are Looking Away: Policy and Perception

Two related things stand out: immigration rules and how much things cost.

Visa processing delays, limits on study permits, sudden changes in policy, and changing rules for working after graduation have made the situation feel unstable for people who want to study. Canada's reputation as a safe and welcoming place to visit has suffered because of the recent introduction of a visa cap and worries about off-campus work rules and post-graduation pathways.

People in the US still think that getting a visa is hard and that there aren't many long-term immigration options. Students and their families think about how much school will cost and how likely they are to get a good job after graduation. Many believe that the balance no longer favors North America.

A lot of people are also worried about how much things cost in major English-speaking places, especially the UK. Students are becoming more critical of value, return on investment, and the financial risks of studying abroad because living costs and tuition fees are going up.

Asia and Europe Are Benefiting From the Shift

While some parts of North America and the UK are under pressure, institutions in Asia and mainland Europe are seeing growth. Students are choosing universities in East Asia because they offer high-quality education at a lower cost and a more stable policy environment. Many schools in Europe are doing better because immigration rules are clearer, tuition is lower, and people think the schools are more open.

Several universities in these areas have noticed that students who used to want to go to North America are now more interested in going to school there. A number of people who answered said that stricter rules in the US, Canada, Australia, and the UK have made it easier for Asian countries to hire more people from other countries.

The outcome is a more even playing field around the world. Instead of most students picking the same few countries, demand is now spreading to more places.

Consequences for Universities and the Broader Sector

The drop in enrollment at North American schools is not just a problem with admissions. It also makes people wonder if it can last financially. International students usually pay full tuition and help the local economy a lot. A downturn could put funding for academic programs, research, and student services at risk.

A lot of Canadian schools and colleges expect to have to cut their budgets next year. A number of people expect staff cuts if enrollment doesn't level off. US schools are more diverse overall, but they are still feeling the effects, especially those that depend on international students for STEM and business programs.

The drop also makes it harder to hire people. To stay competitive, schools may need to reach out to new areas, spend money on better communication about visas and immigration, and make their on-campus support systems stronger.

Implications for Education Consultants and Recruitment Professionals

The change brings both problems and new chances for study-abroad advisors. Now, consultants need to help students see things from a wider and more nuanced point of view, taking into account things like policy stability, post-study work rights, cost, and long-term career prospects.

Students are being more picky and careful with their money. They want places to go that have clear immigration rules, clear paths to follow, and good value for money. This is making consultants learn more about new places in Europe and Asia, where many universities are now hiring more international students.

Agencies that can quickly change can get ready to meet new demand, especially in markets where students are changing their minds about long-held preferences.

Looking Ahead

The next few years may reshape global education in lasting ways. Key developments to watch include:

• Potential policy corrections in North America
• Efforts by Asian and European institutions to strengthen their global reputation
• The rising importance of affordability and financial aid
• Increased competition from newer destinations in Eastern Europe and East Asia
• The growing influence of return-on-investment calculations on student decision-making

This moment marks a turning point. For decades, North America dominated international education. Today, that dominance is being tested. Immigration policies, cost pressures and shifting student expectations are reshaping where students choose to build their futures.

What comes next will depend on how quickly institutions respond and how effectively countries align their policies with the realities of a more competitive global landscape.