Global mobility is rising again, but growth is anything but even. The U.S. added the biggest absolute gains, Australia blew past its pre-COVID record, while Canada and the U.K. face deliberate slow-downs. Let’s unpack the latest counts and the policies driving them.
2025 Snapshot of the Big Four
| Destination | 2023/24 Intl. Students* | 2024/25 (latest) | YoY Change | Key Policy Driver |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 1,126,690 IIE Open Doors | 1.13 – 1.17 M† | ▲ ~8 % | OPT premium-processing, cleared visa backlog |
| Australia | 1,095,298 enrolments (Dec 2024 YTD) Department of Education | > 1.1 M est. | ▲ 12 % | Full border reopening, streamlined subclass 500 |
| United Kingdom | 679 k (HESA 2023/24) HESA | ≈ 675 k | ▼ 1 % | Dependant-visa ban for master’s (Jan 2024) |
| Canada | 1.02 M permit-holders (2023) | ≤ 930 k | ▼ 8 % | 2025 federal cap: 437 k new permits Government of CanadaReuters |
*Academic-year basis unless noted.
†Spring-semester SEVIS counts put active F-1 records just over 1.15 M; final Open Doors 2025 data expected November.
United States: Rebound Continues
- The Open Doors 2024 census logged a 7 % jump, pushing totals to 1.126 M—96 % of the pre-pandemic peak. IIE Open Doors
- STEM master’s remain the engine: 51 % of new grad entries.
- Why the bump? 30-day premium processing for OPT & STEM OPT and restored consular interview capacity.
What to watch: DHS is weighing “program-quality” rules (public comments close July 2025) but has not floated numeric caps.
Australia: Record High Enrolments
The Department of Education’s December 2024 snapshot shows 1.095 M enrolments—already higher than the 2019 record—with commencements up 12 % YoY. Department of Education
- Engineering and IT commencements each jumped 18 %.
- Canberra issued Ministerial Direction 111 to tighten quality filters but stopped short of a cap.
United Kingdom: Plateau and Postgrad Heavy
HESA’s March 2025 release reveals a 1 % dip in total internationals as Chinese undergrads keep sliding, yet non-EU postgrads still make up 51 % of taught-master’s cohorts. HESA
- Dependants ban cut ~30 k family visas in the first nine months.
- The two-year Graduate Route is under review; MAC report due May 2025.
Canada: Intentional Cool-Down
IRCC capped new study permits at 437,000 for 2025—down 10 % from 2024—to ease housing pressure. Government of CanadaReuters
- Provinces now get fixed allocations; Ontario’s share drops from 52 % to 40 %.
- Short master’s programs may lose full three-year PGWP in September 2025 (proposal).
Policy Themes Behind the Divergence
- Housing shortages & inflation → numeric caps (Canada) or hinted caps (Australia).
- Post-study work rights → U.S. keeps 3-year STEM OPT; U.K. may trim; Canada likely to shorten some PGWPs.
- Geopolitics & currency → Weak AUD and JPY make Australia & Japan cheaper; strong CAD and GBP erode affordability.
- AI-driven compliance checks → April 2025 SEVIS auto-terminations remind students to keep immaculate records.
Guidance for Prospective Students
- Apply early to cap-bound destinations—spots are now quota-driven.
- Budget higher proof-of-funds (Canada doubled its minimum in Jan 2024).
- Watch visa news monthly; embassy RSS feeds are your friend.
- Line up housing first in Canada & Australia—some provinces require a lease to get the Attestation Letter.
FAQ
Will the U.K. scrap its Graduate Route?
No decision yet; expect clarity after the Migration Advisory Committee’s May 2025 report.
Is the U.S. considering a cap?
Not at present—only a quality-assurance rule is on the table.
How fast is OPT premium processing?
Median 9 calendar days once USCIS issues the receipt.