Universities in the United States and the United Kingdom are facing a decline in international undergraduate enrolments as students increasingly consider destinations in Asia and continental Europe, according to a global survey of higher education institutions.The US recorded a 13% fall in international undergraduate numbers, while the UK saw a 19% decline between October and August compared with the same period a year earlier. The findings are based on a survey of 437 universities across 63 countries conducted by Studyportals, NAFSA and Oxford Test of English.Canada and Australia also reported weaker demand, while institutions across Asia and continental Europe recorded stronger growth in international student enrolments.International students are an important source of income for universities, as they generally pay higher tuition fees than domestic students. Their contributions help institutions meet the costs of teaching and research, making overseas recruitment a significant part of higher education funding.The survey identified visa restrictions and government policies as the biggest obstacles to attracting international students. Delays in processing applications, stricter screening procedures and changes to post-study work opportunities have led some prospective students to postpone or abandon their plans to study abroad.US universities expressed the greatest concern about future recruitment, with more than a third of institutions expecting international enrolments to fall further in the coming years.The decline in demand for American universities comes amid tighter immigration scrutiny under President Donald Trump. His administration has expanded social media checks for international students, revoked thousands of visas and introduced stricter rules governing how long foreign students can remain in the country.The survey was conducted before the November 3 midterm elections, in which Democrats won control of both chambers of Congress. However, the president retains executive authority over visa policies.The UK has also introduced tighter rules for international students as successive governments attempt to bring down immigration levels. Most overseas students are now restricted from bringing dependents, while the government has plans to reduce the period graduates can remain in the country to work or look for employment.Dr Fanta Aw, executive director and CEO of NAFSA, said the findings highlighted the influence of government policies on students’ decisions about where to pursue higher education and future careers.“These survey results affirm what we’ve observed before: national policies matter to international students making major decisions about where to study, conduct research, or start a career,” Aw said.