Visa uncertainty deters strong students from studying abroad, survey finds
A recent survey of education agents reveals that visa uncertainty is driving away genuine and well-qualified students from studying abroad, with affordability, post-study work opportunities, and visa certainty becoming increasingly important factors in their decision-making process.
Visa uncertainty is a growing concern for international students, with a recent survey finding that it is deterring strong students from studying abroad.
The Navitas Agent Perception Survey, which captured the views of 870 education agents across 64 countries, revealed that visa uncertainty is leading to visa anxiety, which in turn is driving unintended consequences. The survey found that 41% of agents strongly agreed that lower visa acceptance rates discourage some of the strongest potential students from applying, even when they are genuine and well-qualified.
This trend is particularly concerning given the significant policy volatility and immigration restrictions that are currently in place across traditional destinations. The survey found that over three-quarters of respondents indicated that students are applying to more destinations outside the 'big four', with New Zealand emerging as a notable beneficiary of this trend.
| Destination | Relative Interest | | --- | --- | | New Zealand | 1st | | Australia | 2nd | | UK | 3rd | | Canada | 4th | | US | Below competitor nations |
The survey also highlighted the importance of student trust, with New Zealand coming out on top, followed by Australia, an improving Canada, a declining UK, and the US scoring highly unfavourably.
| Destination | Student Trust | | --- | --- | | New Zealand | 1st | | Australia | 2nd | | Canada | 3rd | | UK | 4th | | US | Highly unfavourable |
While policy uncertainty and visa barriers have damaged interest in traditional destinations, the survey found that Australia has shown considerable resilience, with many agents continuing to view it as an attractive place to study.
However, the survey also revealed a broader shift in interest away from the 'big four', with Europe remaining consistently attractive and interest in Singapore continuing to grow.
| Destination | Openness, Safety, and Stability | | --- | --- | | New Zealand | 1st | | Germany | 2nd | | Singapore | 3rd | | Australia | 4th |
The survey also highlighted evolving student needs, revealing a large rise in the proportion of agents noticing an increased need among students for academic support, social and mental health support, and affordability.
| Year | Academic Support | Social and Mental Health Support | | --- | --- | --- | | 2025 | 68% | 71% | | 2026 | 78% | 82% |
The survey found that cost is the top factor influencing student choice, driving students to consider home-country study. Nearly three-quarters of agents indicated that applicants are more likely to study in their home-country as a backup, and 68% agreed that students are more likely to give up international study plans due to affordability concerns.
Access to post-study work rights and quality of education remain important to students, while cost pressures, changes to visa rules, and safety top the list of student concerns.
The survey also explored the role of AI in student decision-making, finding that while it is changing how students research their options, agents continue to play a central role in validating or interpreting AI information for students.
Overall, the survey highlights the need for governments and institutions to take a more nuanced approach to immigration policies and student support, in order to attract and retain the best and brightest international students.
