For decades, the United States has been one of the world’s most attractive destinations for students hoping to improve their English before moving on to university studies or advancing their careers. Many learners have traditionally viewed English language programs as the first important step toward earning a degree in America or building international work opportunities.
However, new figures released by EnglishUSA and BONARD paint a very different picture. English language providers across the country are seeing fewer students arrive, and those who do enroll are spending much less time in their programs than they did just a few years ago. The shift is creating growing concerns not only for language schools but also for universities, local businesses, and communities that depend on international education.
According to the latest annual report, the number of students attending English language programs in the United States fell by 14% over the past year. Even more worrying is that students are shortening their stays, resulting in an almost 20% decline in total student study weeks.
For schools, this is more than a simple drop in enrollment. Shorter courses mean less tuition income, fewer housing bookings, lower spending in surrounding communities, and increasing financial pressure on institutions that already operate on tight budgets.
EnglishUSA Executive Director Cheryl Delk-Le Good explained that the trend goes far beyond language education itself. English language schools often introduce international students to the American education system before they transition into undergraduate or postgraduate degrees. When these programs struggle, universities eventually feel the effects as well, with fewer students continuing into higher education.
Many schools participating in the survey pointed to an increasingly challenging environment for attracting international students. More than two-thirds of providers identified political and economic uncertainty within the United States as a major obstacle. At the same time, 58% reported that visa refusals continue to discourage prospective applicants, while nearly half admitted that declining enrollment has become a serious financial concern.
Students are also expressing growing anxiety about whether they will receive visas on time, whether immigration rules may change unexpectedly, and whether they will be able to continue into degree programs after completing their English studies. For many families making a substantial financial investment, uncertainty has become a powerful reason to consider studying elsewhere.
The economic consequences are already becoming visible.
Students attending participating English language programs contributed an estimated $870 million in direct spending during the year. This represents a noticeable decline from approximately $950 million recorded the previous year. When the wider English language education sector is included, the industry’s overall direct economic contribution still exceeded $1.4 billion, highlighting just how valuable international students remain to the American economy.
These students support much more than classrooms. Their spending helps sustain apartment rentals, host families, restaurants, grocery stores, public transportation, tourism businesses, healthcare providers, and countless local employers across the country.
Another notable change is the average length of study.
Previously, international students remained enrolled for an average of 12.8 weeks. That figure has now fallen to just 10.4 weeks. While similar patterns are appearing in several other English-learning destinations worldwide, the shorter stays mean schools have fewer opportunities to generate revenue and students have less time to immerse themselves in the language and culture.
Based on current averages, completing an English language program in the United States now costs roughly $12,500 per student, including tuition and related living expenses.
The report also reveals interesting changes in where students are coming from.
France became the largest source of English language students in the United States for the first time, followed by Brazil and China. Japan, which previously occupied the top position, dropped to fourth place, while Italy rounded out the top five.
Japan’s decline reflects broader challenges facing many Japanese students. A weaker yen has made overseas education significantly more expensive, while concerns about immigration policies and global security have encouraged some students to choose destinations they perceive as offering greater stability.
Within the United States, New York welcomed the largest number of English language students during the year. California and Florida remained among the leading destinations but experienced significant enrollment declines of 16% and 20%, respectively. Utah stood out as the only state among the ten most popular destinations to record an increase in student numbers.
For prospective students who still plan to study English in the United States, careful visa preparation has become more important than ever.
U.S. Student Visa Requirements
Before applying, ensure you have:
- A valid passport.
- Your Form I-20 issued by your approved English language school.
- Confirmation that you have paid the SEVIS I-901 fee.
- A completed DS-160 visa application.
- A recent passport-sized photograph that meets U.S. requirements.
- Financial documents proving you can pay tuition and living expenses.
- Evidence of strong ties to your home country, where applicable.
Embassy Interview Guide
- Answer every question honestly and confidently.
- Clearly explain why you chose your English language program.
- Be prepared to discuss how the course supports your academic or career goals.
- Demonstrate that you have sufficient financial support.
- Bring every required document in an organized folder.
PROCESSING TIMELINE
Getting your student visa sorted out takes a bit of patience, but knowing the timeline makes planning way less stressful.
First off, waiting for your school to issue your Form I-20 usually takes anywhere from one to four weeks, depending on how fast their office works. Filling out the DS-160 application and paying your fees can easily be knocked out in a single day. Booking your interview spot depends entirely on how busy your local embassy is at the time. Once you wrap up the actual interview, getting your visa processed and back to you typically takes a few days to a couple of weeks.
You can read through all the latest rules on the Official U.S. Student Visa Information Portal and submit your application straight through the Official DS-160 Visa Application Portal.
