The rate of new international student enrollment in US universities this fall has fallen by 17% compared to previous years.
This is according to research by the Institute of International Education, the BBC writes.
The drop comes as the administration of US President Donald Trump has made it more difficult to obtain student visas. The study indicates that problems with visa applications – delays and refusals – are among the main reasons for the decline in the number of students coming for the first time.
The survey found a slight overall decrease of 1% in the number of international students, if you take into account those who have been studying in the US for several years.
International students make up about 6% of the total student population in the US and contribute $55 billion to the US economy.