US Fails to Inspire International Students as Safety Concerns Mount

The US is losing ground as a destination for international students due to weak perceptions of safety and welcoming nature, according to the latest Navitas Agent Perception Survey. The survey collected responses from 870 education agents across 64 countries and found that affordability, policy settings, destination reputation, and student confidence continue to shape international education decisions.

Only 31% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that the reputation of the US as a safe and stable destination for international students had improved over the previous two months. The US also recorded a low score for being seen as open and welcoming, with only 28% saying its reputation had improved on this measure.

New Zealand topped the list with 88% for improved perceptions of safety and stability and 88% for being open and welcoming. Germany scored 78%, while Australia stood at 77% for safety and stability and 63% for being open and welcoming.

The survey found that interest in the US as an education destination remains weak, with only 38% of respondents agreeing that there had been more interest in the US over the previous two months compared to other countries. New Zealand led with 80%, followed by Australia at 75%, the UK at 64%, and Canada at 60%.

Visa processing is another area where the US trails competing destinations, with a low average positive rating of 25.3%. The US also scored poorly on individual measures, including visa acceptance rate, processing time, predictability, and rejection reasons.