(TOLEDO, OHIO) International student enrollment at two northwest Ohio campuses has fallen sharply this fall as tighter U.S. visa policies ripple through admissions cycles and consular backlogs. Bowling Green State University (BGSU) reported 590 international students for the semester, down from 896 last year—a 34% BGSU decline—while officials at the University of Toledo (UT) say their numbers are also down, citing the same visa hurdles.
University leaders and advocates say the drop stems from a disrupted summer visa season, fewer interview slots at U.S. consulates, and new screening rules that stretched already thin processing capacity.
What happened this summer
The most abrupt shock came when student visa interviews were paused from May 27 to June 18, 2025. Interviews later resumed with new social media vetting steps, which slowed approvals and deepened backlogs during peak travel months.
Reports also point to limited or no appointment availability in major sending countries, including India, China, Nigeria, and Japan. For campuses like BGSU and UT that recruit from those countries, missing the June–August window meant admitted students could not arrive on time, or deferred to spring or next fall.
VisaVerge.com reports that a separate June 4, 2025 executive order targeted 19 countries, and rumors of added restrictions affecting 36 more countries spread quickly among applicants and families. Even talk of wider bans can chill demand.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, these moves risk up to $3 billion in annual economic contributions tied to international education and could threaten 25,000 jobs in the United States 🇺🇸 if the trend continues.
Key timeline: Interviews paused May 27–June 18, 2025; June 4 order targeted 19 countries; added social media vetting and appointment shortages followed.
Policy changes — quick overview
- Interview pause: The late-spring halt in visa interviews overlapped with the busiest period for student processing, producing delays that many consulates could not absorb once interviews restarted with added vetting.
- Sparse appointments: Students in India, China, Nigeria, and Japan reported few or no open slots at U.S. posts, forcing last-minute travel changes, deferrals, or withdrawals.
- Added screening: New social media checks increased the time needed to review each case, reducing daily throughput.
- Bans and restrictions: The June 4 order covering 19 countries, coupled with rumors of broader limits, created uncertainty across recruitment markets.
How the student visa process normally works
Students bound for the United States must secure the proper visa after getting a school-issued Form I-20, a certificate of eligibility issued by a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified school. The Form I-20 explains the program dates, school details, and cost of study.
Applicants then complete the Form DS-160 online and book a consular interview.
Official information and forms:
– U.S. Department of State — Student Visas (F and M)
– DS-160 application — DS-160 application
– Guidance on Form I-20 — Department of Homeland Security’s Study in the States: Form I-20 Overview
Economic and campus impact
Universities say reduced international student enrollment hits both the campus experience and the balance sheet.
- International students often pay full tuition and are typically not eligible for federal financial aid, providing key revenue that supports academic offerings for all students.
- Losing hundreds of enrollments in one year can force budget adjustments and limit options for research or student services.
- The diversity impact is personal: fewer languages in the dorms, smaller international clubs, and fewer peer mentors to help new arrivals settle.
Analysts warn the trend could widen. VisaVerge.com estimates that if new-student numbers fall by 30–40% nationwide, the United States could lose up to $7 billion and more than 60,000 jobs tied to housing, food, retail, and campus employment.
In mid-sized metro areas like Toledo and Bowling Green, those dollars flow into local businesses that depend on steady student foot traffic.
How campuses are responding
Campus officials describe a scramble to reduce the damage:
- Some schools offered deferred start dates so students who missed interviews could begin in spring.
- Others expanded virtual orientation to keep admitted students engaged while they waited for new appointment slots.
- Schools increased advising on document tracking, DS-160 uploads, and monitoring courier deliveries for I-20s.
Yet deferrals bring risks: students may change plans, choose countries with faster processing, or delay study altogether.
For UT and BGSU, this year’s downturn follows a period of recovery after the COVID-19 lows. Many universities had just regained momentum thanks to in-person recruitment and alumni referrals abroad. Then the 2025 visa season tightened again. University advisers say they fielded panicked emails about missing I-20 courier deliveries, repeated DS-160 uploads, and interview dates scheduled weeks after course start dates.
Federal policy context
The federal picture remains complicated. The current administration under President Trump has increased scrutiny on international student enrollment, leading in some cases to visa revocations and later reinstatements.
Policy shifts have come quickly, and schools say it is hard to plan orientation, housing, and course schedules when travel rules can change mid-summer. At the same time, consulates have finite staff and security rules to follow, which can slow even routine cases.
Advice for students still trying to come
For students still trying to come, practical steps matter. Schools urge applicants to:
- Secure the
Form I-20early and check that names and program dates match the passport. - Complete the
Form DS-160carefully and save the confirmation page. - Review the U.S. Department of State’s student visa guidance: Student Visas (F and M).
- Follow local consulate instructions on photos, fees, and document lists.
- Book the first available appointment, then monitor for earlier slots and request expedited review if the school start date is near.
Outlook and final takeaway
Though the fall numbers are down, there are signs of resilience. Advisers report strong interest for later intakes, and some consulates have added limited weekend hours. Yet the core question is whether visa policies and processing will stabilize before the next surge of applications.
Without predictable interview access, even well-prepared students—admitted, funded, and ready—can miss their window.
University leaders in northwest Ohio say they will keep recruiting abroad but want clearer timelines and steady rules. They argue that students add energy to research labs, language classes, and start-up spaces in Toledo and Bowling Green.
Families in sending countries are weighing the same tradeoffs: the draw of a U.S. degree against the risk of delays. For now, the numbers at BGSU and UT show how quickly policy shifts can reshape a semester.
Frequently Asked Questions
This Article in a Nutshell
International student enrollment at Bowling Green State University and the University of Toledo dropped sharply this fall amid tightened U.S. visa policies and consular backlogs. BGSU reported 590 international students, a 34% decline from 896 the previous year. The disruptions followed a pause in student visa interviews from May 27–June 18, 2025, the introduction of social media vetting, and scarce appointment availability in major sending countries including India, China, Nigeria, and Japan. Universities offered deferred starts, virtual orientation, and enhanced advising, but warn that ongoing unpredictability could reduce campus revenue, limit research and services, and diminish cultural diversity. Analysts estimate national economic risks if declines continue, while campuses call for clearer federal timelines and steadier processing.
