In 2025, two top study abroad destinations, the US and Canada, experienced a drop in international student enrolment.
Data from the Studyportals Global Enrolment Benchmark Survey 2025 shows that:
- 82% of the Canadian and 48% of the US universities in the survey reported a decline in international undergraduate enrolments.
- The vast majority of surveyed Canadian (90%) and US (85%) universities think restrictive government policies are the biggest obstacles for international student enrolment.
The drop in enrolments and restrictive government policies are related to each other. With fewer student visas being approved and tighter limits on available places, fewer international students are able to enrol.
In this article, we’ll explore the most common reasons why student visas get rejected, along with what to do in different visa-related circumstances.
Disclaimer: This article isn’t legal advice. Always check with a qualified immigration lawyer or your school’s international office for personalised advice about visas and legal matters.
Reasons why student visas get rejected
With policy and regulation changes happening all over the world, student visas are getting rejected often.
Canada, for example, rejected 62% of study permit applicants between January 2025 and July 2025. According to an ApplyBoard analysis, the most common reason behind this was that immigration officers didn’t believe students would leave Canada after their studies.
We asked Dr. Isaac Garcia-Sitton, the Executive Director of International Student Enrollment, Education & Inclusion at Toronto Metropolitan University, about his thoughts. Based on his experience as an international education leader, he said that refusals often stem from not persuading the officer on:
- Having a credible, well-documented study plan (why this programme, why now, and why in that country)
- Proof that the student has sufficient funds to cover tuition and living costs
- Intention to comply with the temporary nature of the visa
“Common issues include incomplete or inconsistent documentation, weak alignment between academic history and the chosen programme, gaps in financial evidence, unclear post-study plans, and credibility concerns (including misrepresentation),” adds Garcia-Sitton.
Benjamin Stern of BGZ Consulting, a US-based international admissions consultancy, recommends a narrative-based approach during visa interviews, covering the past, present, and future. For example:
- What do you want to study? Why do you want to study that degree? And how will that particular university help? (Present)
- What have you done in the past that brought you to where you are now? (Past)
- What are you planning to do in the future, and how will that degree help? (Future)
According to Stern, candidates often focus on the present (why they want to study in that country) and omit the past and future (what they have done so far, and how the degree fits their future plans).
Student visa rejected? Do’s and don’ts
If your visa was rejected, start by understanding why. Was it because of a lack of documents? Was the visa officer not convinced that you would return home after graduation?
Once you have a better idea, you can plan your next steps. If you want to reapply, make sure to strengthen your application instead of using the same file.
Here is a short summary of the dos and don’ts.
DO | DON’T |
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Student visa revoked? Do’s and don’ts
In 2025, the BBC reported that the US State Department revoked over 6,000 international student visas because of violations of US law and overstays.
Some US universities also shared that their students experienced visa revocations and SEVIS (The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) terminations with no prior notice to the school.
According to the University of Connecticut, students may be at greater risk of SEVIS termination if they have a previous arrest or criminal record, have been publicly involved in political activism, or have had a visa revoked in the past. You should be mindful of your social media and comply with the law at all times.
If you experience a visa revocation or SEVIS termination, treat it urgently. Notify your university and seek qualified immigration advice immediately.
Is it getting harder to study abroad in the US and Canada?
Short answer, yes.
In the Studyportals Global Enrolment Benchmark Survey 2025, 85% of US universities and 90% of Canadian Universities said they saw restrictive government policies and visa issues as a major problem. The situation is becoming more complicated than ever, especially given that the US government has issued travel bans for several countries, including Nigeria.
While it’s more difficult than before, going to the US or Canada isn’t impossible. That said, it’s also a good idea to research other destinations. If you’re in the process of weighing your options, here is what you can do:
Keep an eye on policy changes
Besides changes in immigration, check official government and university pages regularly for:
- Documentation requirements
- Application and interview timelines
- Hours you can work while studying abroad
- Post-study work eligibility requirements
- Rules around CPT and OPT for the US
- International student caps for Canada
- Travel and visa bans
Look into alternative destinations
One of the key findings of the Studyportals Global Enrolment Benchmark Survey was:
While the US and Canada enrolments dropped, Europe and Asia welcomed more students in 2025.
This shows that students have plenty of other options. English-taught degrees are becoming increasingly common, and education in European and Asian universities is often more affordable than in the US and Canada. Here are some countries that are getting more popular among international students in 2026:
- United Kingdom (UK): The UK remains a top destination for international students, as it’s home to some of the best universities in the world.
- Germany: Known for low or no tuition fees at public universities, Germany offers plenty of English-taught degrees.
- France: In 2025, Grenoble Ecole de Management fast-tracked applications for international students with US business school offers, making it easier to study in France amid visa uncertainty in the US.
- New Zealand: An English-speaking country with a safe, welcoming environment, New Zealand is looking to attract more international students.
- South Korea: Popular among Asian students who want to study closer to home, South Korea offers government scholarships and several English language programmes.
- United Arab Emirates (UAE): The UAE stands out for its university branch campuses, hosting institutions such as NYU Abu Dhabi, Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, and University of Birmingham Dubai. It also offers post-study work options to graduates.
Final thoughts
Studying abroad in the US or Canada is still possible, although the current uncertainty and the restrictive government policies make it more difficult than before. International admissions consultant Benjamin Stern says he remains “cautiously optimistic” about how the situation may develop.
Whether you’re considering the US, Canada, or elsewhere, the same visa advice applies. Make sure to check the requirements carefully, prepare all your documents in advance, and know your narrative, including the past, present, and future. Your study plan must clearly link what you’ve done so far and what you want to do in the future.
