US loses appeal among foreign students on visa, safety fears

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.