In May 2025, the US Department of State issued 12,689 fewer F-1 visas compared to the same period in 2024—a 22 percent drop. J-1 visas also declined by 13 percent. This follows an already troubling trend, with F-1 visa issuances down 12 percent from January to April 2025 compared to the previous year.
The numbers paint a stark picture: as of May 2025, only 95,000 F-1 visas had been issued since January—the lowest total in the last three years. This decline represents more than just statistics; it reflects the real impact on thousands of students whose educational dreams may be delayed or derailed.
The Social Media Screening Revolution
One of the most significant changes affecting student visa applicants is the implementation of comprehensive social media vetting. After a nearly month-long pause in visa appointments from May 27 to June 18, 2025, the State Department resumed interviews with new requirements that fundamentally change the application process.
All F-1, M-1, and J-1 visa applicants must now set their social media profiles to “public” for government review. Consular officers are instructed to conduct “comprehensive and thorough vetting” of each applicant’s online presence, looking for “hostile attitudes toward our citizens, culture, government, institutions, or founding principles”. Failure to make social media accounts public “could be construed as an effort to evade or hide certain activity”.
This policy extends beyond just checking social media profiles. Officers are urged to use “any appropriate search engines or other online resources” to look for derogatory information. The vetting process examines not just posts and content, but also likes, affiliations, and past interactions that could be interpreted as problematic.
Travel Restrictions and Country-Specific Impacts
The implementation of travel restrictions has added another layer of complexity. Starting June 9, 2025, nationals from 12 countries face complete visa bans, while seven additional countries have restrictions specifically targeting F-1 and J-1 visas.
Complete visa bans affect students from:
- Afghanistan, Burma (Myanmar), Chad, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen
Partial restrictions targeting student visas affect nationals from:
- Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela
The data shows these restrictions had immediate impact even before implementation, with F-1 visa issuances declining by nearly 150 percent for citizens from the affected nations in May, before the ban took effect.
Chinese Students Face Specific Challenges
Chinese students, traditionally the second-largest group of international students in the US, experienced a 15 percent decline in F-1 visa issuances in May 2025. The Trump administration announced plans to revoke visas from Chinese nationals with ties to the Chinese Communist Party, adding uncertainty for this important student population.
Processing Delays and Appointment Shortages
Beyond policy changes, practical challenges plague the system. Students in China, Ghana, India, Japan, Niger, and Nigeria have reported significant difficulties securing visa appointments. Limited appointment availability has been particularly acute in India and China—the top two sending countries for international students.
Rachel Banks from NAFSA noted, “We’re halfway through July, and there’s still students who are struggling to get an appointment; that’s troubling”. The enhanced vetting procedures are expected to result in fewer appointment slots and longer processing times.
Student Interest Reaches Crisis Levels
Perhaps most concerning is the dramatic decline in student interest in US education. According to Studyportals data, international student interest in studying in the United States has dropped to its lowest level since the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Weekly pageviews for US degree programs collapsed by 50 percent in just four months between January and April 2025.
A May 27, 2025 survey by Study Portal found that student interest in studying in the US has dropped to its lowest point since COVID-19, with fewer students interested in US programs and instead considering other English-speaking nations such as the UK or Australia.
For postgraduate programs specifically, international student demand has plummeted 44 percent since mid-January 2025. The largest declines have been among Indian and Bangladeshi students, with interest falling by 26.5 percent and 25.7 percent respectively compared to the fourth quarter of 2024.
Economic Impact and Institutional Concerns
The implications extend far beyond individual students. Colleges and universities are already anticipating significant declines. The Institute of International Education found that 40 percent of institutions projected declines in their undergraduate international student populations, while 49 percent anticipated drops in graduate student populations.
A NAFSA survey of about 150 member institutions found that 78 percent predict declines in both undergraduate and graduate international student enrollment. Financial calculations suggest that even a 10 percent decline in international student enrollment would cost US colleges and universities $3 billion in revenue, with $900 million in lost tuition dollars alone.
NAFSA’s preliminary projections suggest that a 30-40 percent decline in new international student enrollment could result in a 15 percent drop in overall enrollment, translating to nearly $7 billion in lost revenue and more than 60,000 fewer jobs.
What This Means for Current and Prospective Students
For Current Students:
If you’re already in the US with a valid visa, the travel restrictions don’t immediately affect you. However, if you’re from one of the restricted countries and plan to travel outside the US, visa renewal and re-entry are not guaranteed. Many students chose to remain in the US over their summer break to avoid these complications.
For Prospective Students:
The application process now requires careful preparation of your digital footprint. Universities are advising students to review their social media presence and consider the potential impact of past posts or affiliations. The enhanced screening may also mean longer processing times and fewer available appointment slots.
For Families:
The uncertainty surrounding visa policies and processing has created additional stress for families planning international education. Many are exploring alternative destinations or deferring their plans until the situation stabilizes.
Looking Ahead
Future policies could create additional bottlenecks. A proposed rule at the Office of Management and Budget would end duration-of-stay policies and implement fixed dates for how long students can remain in the country on their visas. This change could add further complications to an already complex system.
As one NAFSA official noted, “We’re very concerned that if that were to go through, that sort of adds to further disruptions and hurdles that students have to jump over, that then gives students more reason to say, ‘this seems like a hassle, this seems like I’m not welcome, I’m going to find another opportunity to pursue'”.
The Path Forward
Despite these challenges, the US higher education system continues to offer world-class opportunities. However, prospective students and their families must navigate this new reality with careful planning, early preparation, and potentially alternative strategies.
For current students, staying informed about policy changes and maintaining legal status remains crucial. For prospective students, early visa applications, thorough preparation of documentation, and careful review of social media presence have become essential parts of the process.
The situation continues to evolve rapidly, making it more important than ever for students and families to work closely with educational institutions, immigration attorneys, trusted advisors and our forum to navigate these challenges in international education.
