US risks losing $3.4B as international students look elsewhere
The United States could lose up to US$3.4 billion in economic activity and nearly 40,000 jobs next academic year due to a projected drop in international student enrollment.
A recent joint analysis by NAFSA: Association of International Educators and JB International warns that U.S. universities could lose a staggering $3.4 billion and over 39,000 jobs due to international student enrollment declines. The report, based on the Institute of International Education's Spring 2026 Snapshot, projects a 9.5% drop in international student enrollment for the 2026-27 academic year, driven by visa delays, policy uncertainties, and increasing global competition.
This would translate to roughly 111,000 fewer students expected to enroll, with California, New York, Massachusetts, and Michigan facing the steepest losses. International students play a crucial role in the U.S. economy, injecting billions each year into local communities through spending on housing, food, and daily expenses. Their departure threatens to reverse the post-pandemic recovery of the U.S. higher education sector.
The recent executive order imposed entry restrictions on 39 countries, including student and exchange visitor visa applicants, while prioritizing visa processing for FIFA World Cup ticket holders. Additionally, sweeping changes to international student visa regulations and the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program have added to the uncertainty.
NAFSA urges the administration to prioritize visa interviews for students, exempt them from the travel ban, and fully preserve the OPT program to avoid losing U.S. position as the top destination for global talent.
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