UC San Diego has admitted a record 7,428 international first-year students for Fall 2025, the highest number in over thirty years. However, university officials expect fewer of these students to actually enroll, mainly because of recent visa policy disruptions and growing uncertainty around U.S. immigration rules.
This surge in international offers at UC San Diego reflects a wider trend across University of California campuses. The university hopes that by admitting more international first-year students, it can balance out the expected drop in the number who accept and enroll. According to the UC Office of the President, “rising uncertainty of their likelihood of enrolling” is a key concern this year.
Visa policy disruptions have played a major role in this uncertainty. In Spring 2025, the U.S. government revoked visas for 35 international students at UC San Diego, only restoring about half of them later. The Trump administration also announced plans to revoke visas from Chinese students, who make up the largest group of international students at UC San Diego. These actions have made many students and their families anxious about whether they will be able to study in the United States 🇺🇸.
Jim Rawlins, Chief Enrollment Officer at UC San Diego, explained, “We have every reason to think that the percentage of students who will accept our offer of admission and come here is going to probably be a little lower” because of these national and federal developments. The university will confirm the actual number of enrolled international students later in Fall 2025, after the enrollment deadline passes.
For Fall 2024, UC San Diego received over 134,000 total applications and admitted nearly 36,000 students, with an overall acceptance rate of 26.7%. The yield rate, or the percentage of admitted students who enrolled, was 20.4%. For international undergraduates, the acceptance rate was 22.4%, with 4,896 admitted and 811 enrolling. This year’s much higher number of international offers is meant to offset the expected drop in yield.
International students at UC San Diego pay over $35,500 in supplemental tuition each year, on top of the $20,500 paid by California residents. Unlike in-state students, international students usually do not receive the same level of financial aid. This means that the financial impact of fewer international students enrolling could be significant for the university, as these students are a major source of revenue.
The admissions process for international first-year students at UC San Diego is competitive. Applicants must meet academic and English language requirements, such as a minimum TOEFL iBT score of 83, IELTS score of 7, or Duolingo English Test score of 115. The application deadline for undergraduates seeking entry in Fall 2026 is December 2, 2025.
Visa policy disruptions have made the admissions process even more stressful for international students. The federal government’s actions, especially those targeting Chinese students, have increased uncertainty and anxiety among applicants. Many students worry about whether they will be able to get a visa, if their visa will be revoked, or if they will face other unexpected problems.
To help international students, UC San Diego has expanded its support services. The university now has dedicated offices and staff to help with admissions, visa issues, and the transition to campus life. These services are designed to help students deal with the complex and often changing requirements they face.
The process for admitted international students involves several important steps:
- Accept the admission offer and set up a UC San Diego email account.
- Request immigration documents: Starting March 3, 2025, newly admitted Summer and Fall 2025 international students can request their Form I-20 (for the F-1 student visa) or DS-2019 (for the J-1 exchange visitor visa) through iServices.ucsd.edu.
- Apply for a U.S. student visa: Use the issued documents to apply for a visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate. For more information on the visa process, visit the U.S. Department of State’s student visa page.
- Enroll full-time: International students must take at least 12 units per quarter to maintain full-time status.
- Arrive and attend orientation: Students must participate in orientation and follow all university and immigration rules.
University administrators say they must balance financial planning with the unpredictability of international student enrollment. International students and their families, meanwhile, express concerns about the reliability of U.S. visas, sudden policy changes, and personal safety. Policy analysts point out that the volatility in U.S. visa policy and rising tensions with countries like China are major reasons for the drop in international student yield rates.
UC San Diego has a long history of welcoming international students, with Chinese students forming the largest group. But the past two years have seen more changes and uncertainty in U.S. immigration and visa policy, forcing the university to adjust its admissions strategies.
The university will keep watching federal policy developments and will change its approach as needed. The true impact on Fall 2025 international enrollment will only become clear after the academic year begins. UC San Diego says it will continue to support international students and advocate for their needs.
A reduced international student presence could affect campus diversity, research partnerships, and the university’s global connections. It could also impact the university’s budget, since international students pay much higher tuition. Ongoing visa uncertainty and policy changes create stress and practical challenges for students, who must deal with complex and shifting requirements.
For the most current updates and detailed guidance, international applicants and admitted students should contact UC San Diego’s International Admissions Specialists at (858) 534-4831 or [email protected], or visit the official admissions website. The International Services and Engagement Office (ISEO) also provides support through iServices.ucsd.edu.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, the situation at UC San Diego highlights how quickly changes in U.S. visa policy can affect international students and universities. The university’s response—admitting more international first-year students while expanding support services—shows a commitment to keeping its campus diverse and welcoming, even in uncertain times.
International students who have been admitted should act quickly to accept their offers, request the right immigration documents, and apply for their visas. Staying in close contact with UC San Diego’s support offices can help students handle any unexpected changes or challenges.
In summary, UC San Diego’s record number of international first-year offers for Fall 2025 reflects both the university’s global appeal and the challenges caused by visa policy disruptions. The coming months will show how many international students are able to join the campus community and what steps the university will take to support them in the future.
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