A recent survey has found that visa uncertainty is turning away strong students from certain countries. The 10th iteration of Navitas’ Agent Perception Survey revealed that affordability, post-study work opportunities, and visa certainty are key factors shaping study decisions.
The survey, which captured the views of 870 education agents across 64 countries, showed that tighter immigration policies are having unintended consequences. Jon Chew, Navitas chief insights officer, said that “visa uncertainty leads to visa anxiety, which drives unintended consequences.”
According to the survey, 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 is a significant concern, as it may be deterring talented students from pursuing international education. The survey also found that students are applying to more destinations outside the ‘big four’ countries, with over three quarters of respondents indicating this trend. New Zealand was noted as a notable beneficiary of this trend, taking the lead in terms of relative interest.
Shift in Interest Away from Traditional Destinations
The survey highlighted a broader shift in interest away from the ‘big four’ countries, with Australia maintaining its second position, the UK dropping to third place, and Canada improving but remaining in fourth place. Interest in the US fell significantly, lagging behind other competitor nations.
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A similar pattern emerged in terms of student trust, with New Zealand coming out on top, followed by Australia, an improving Canada, a declining UK, and the US scoring highly unfavorably.
Visa processing was viewed most favorably in the UK and New Zealand, followed by Australia, with Canada and the US lagging behind. This suggests that students are prioritizing destinations with more streamlined and efficient visa processes.
It’s worth examining how this trend compares to similar situations in the past, where policy uncertainty and visa barriers have damaged interest in traditional destinations. In this case, the resilience of Australia is notable, despite considerable volatility in its policies.
The survey results also temper the gloom with recognition that Australia continues to be an attractive destination, particularly given the strong opportunities to work while studying and generous access to post-study work rights.
Evolving Student Needs
The survey revealed a large rise in the proportion of agents noticing an increased need among students for academic support, which rose from 68% in 2025 to 78% this year. Similarly, 82% of agents noted increased demand for social and mental health support among students, compared to 71% last year.
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Jon Chew urged institutions to take note of the findings to ensure international students receive the support they need to succeed.
Cost was cited as the top factor influencing student choice, driving students to consider home-country study. Nearly three-quarters of agents indicated applicants were more likely to study in their home-country as a backup, and 68% agreed students were more likely to give up international study plans due to affordability concerns.
Access to post-study work rights and quality of education remained important to students, the agents reported, while cost pressures, changes to visa rules, and safety topped the list of student concerns.
As the international education setting continues to evolve, it’s likely that these factors will remain key considerations for students and institutions alike.
