# US loses appeal among foreign students on visa, safety fears 2026-08-20T15:20:39+00:00 | World & Diplomacy | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet The United States is losing its appeal among international students due to concerns over visa uncertainty, safety, and its image as a welcoming destination, according to the latest Navitas Agent Perception Survey conducted in May 2026. The survey polled 870 education agents across 64 countries and found that only 38% of respondents reported increased student interest in the US over the previous two months, the lowest among five major study destinations. New Zealand led with 80% reporting increased interest, followed by Australia at 75%, the UK at 64%, and Canada at 60%. On safety and welcoming image, the US scored 31% and 28% respectively, far behind New Zealand's 88% on both measures. Visa processing was a major weak point: the US received an average positive rating of 25.3%, the lowest among surveyed countries. Only 26% of agents rated US visa acceptance rates positively, and just 20.5% were positive about predictability. The survey also found that 80% of agents agreed lower visa acceptance rates could discourage even genuine and well-qualified students. For South Asian students, cost (80%) and post-study work rights (75%) were top factors. Globally, 82% of agents said applicants are now applying to more destinations, with 72% saying students keep home-country study as a backup. ## Indian Opinion Analysis The US has long been the top destination for Indian students, with over 330,000 enrolled in 2023-24. This survey signals a structural shift: safety perceptions and visa unpredictability are now driving high-calibre applicants toward New Zealand, Australia, and the UK, which offer clearer pathways and post-study work rights. Indian students, who form the second-largest international cohort in the US, are especially sensitive to cost and work opportunities. With US F-1 visa refusal rates at 35% in 2023 for Indian applicants, according to State Department data, the trend may accelerate. Watch for the next Open Doors report in November 2026 to confirm whether actual enrolment numbers reflect this sentiment decline. ## Coverage - greatandhra.com Straight reporting of survey findings with no editorialising or government alignment. This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above. Tags: Australia, Navitas, New Zealand, student visas, UK, US Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/us-loses-appeal-among-foreign-students-on-visa-safety-fears/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/us-loses-appeal-among-foreign-students-on-visa-safety-fears/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes. How this brief was made: an AI model read the report linked above and wrote this summary and analysis, which were published automatically. Published briefs are sampled every hour by an automated quality check; the editor verifies its findings and approves corrections, and corrected briefs carry a dated correction line. We do no original reporting. Methodology: https://indianopinion.org/ai-use-policy/