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The Trump administration’s latest changes to U.S. visa policy are drawing concern from universities nationwide, including the University of Notre Dame. Here, international students make up roughly 10.6 percent of the student body, according to College Factual.

On Sept. 19, President Donald Trump signed a proclamation imposing a $100,000 fee for new H-1B visa applications, according to the Associated Press. The H-1B program, widely used by technology companies and international graduates, currently requires only a few thousand dollars in fees. CBS News said that the new charge, scheduled to take effect in 2026, will not apply to renewals but could heavily affect first-time applicants. Economists warn the steep fee may also discourage employers from sponsoring international workers, narrowing opportunities for international graduates from institutions like Notre Dame.

The Department of Homeland Security has also proposed ending the “duration of status” designation for student visas, The New York Times reported. Right now, students on F and J visas can remain in the country for the length of their academic programs. The proposed rule would impose stricter timelines and more frequent reviews, creating uncertainty for Notre Dame’s international students, especially those in multi-year doctoral or research programs.

Visa processing is also tightening. Beginning Oct. 1, the State Department will end the interview waiver program, sometimes called the “dropbox,” CNN reported. Without the waiver, students seeking visa renewals must schedule in-person interviews at U.S. consulates abroad. For Notre Dame’s international students traveling home during breaks, this shift could add long wait times, higher travel costs and new logistical hurdles.

Meanwhile, visa cancellations are rising. The Washington Post reported that more than 6,000 student visas were revoked in 2025, many tied to alleged misconduct or security issues. Earlier this year, the Associated Press noted that Secretary of State Marco Rubio revoked visas for Chinese students in sensitive research areas or with ties to the Chinese Communist Party.

Notre Dame, like many other universities, relies on international student enrollment for academic diversity and research collaboration. NBC News reported that foreign students contribute more than $30 billion annually to the U.S. economy through tuition and living expenses. The New York Times added that restrictive U.S. policies may push students toward countries such as Canada or the United Kingdom, which are actively streamlining their visa systems to attract promising international students rethinking going to the United States.