While the U.S. State Department’s freeze on student visa interviews in May 2025 significantly stalled fall enrollment among international students, the University of North Florida saw an increase in F-1 visa international students from 2024 to 2025, according to recent data from a UNF spokesperson.
Last year’s pause on student visa interviews, while no longer in effect, led to a 36% worldwide drop in F-1 visa issuances from May to August 2025, according to the Chronicle of Higher Education.
UNF students pointed to the Trump administration for this significant decline while crediting the UNF campus as a comfortable place for international students to bond.
UNF’s Standout Numbers
According to UNF spokespersons’ aggregate data, while state and federal leaders increase screening of student visa holders, the university saw an increase in the number of F-1 visa holders over the past three years.
In 2024, 387 students enrolled at UNF on F-1 visas, and in the 2025 academic year, 454 F-1 visa holders enrolled.
Spinnaker spoke with two international UNF students on the matter, who chose to stay anonymous due to concerns about their visa status.
Regarding recent changes to visa vetting, the junior international student explained that even though she followed the legal process for her visa, she worries it could be revoked at any moment.
“I worry about myself, my friends,” the junior said. “If I do something they think is wrong, I’ll be forced out of the country.”
Despite her anxiety, she explained that she found her own community at UNF.
“I love it here on campus,” she said. “It can feel comforting knowing that there are many international students on campus, even if we are all from different places, it’s not overwhelming.”
The sophomore international student explained that he blamed the DeSantis and Trump administrations for the current anxiety among visa holders, citing changes to social media vetting and the H-1 B visa pause.
“It seems more and more clear that [Trump and DeSantis] do not want anyone in this country if they were not born here, that’s it,” he said.
The sophomore also explained that while this situation worries him, it also saddens him, as he has found a home and community at UNF.
“No one will want to come to America anymore, seeing how unwelcome and unsafe it is. I don’t blame them,” he said. “But UNF has been a home for me, and I hope it can continue to be.”
F-1 Visas
An F-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows international students to pursue full-time academic studies or language training at U.S. colleges, universities, or schools.
According to NPR, the U.S. Department of State paused new student visa interview scheduling in May 2025 to implement mandatory social media checks for all visa applicants. During this time, the Trump administration also revoked student visas at various colleges, NPR also reported.
While the U.S. State Department officially lifted the pause on new visa interview scheduling on June 18, 2025, the freeze allowed the implementation of new vetting protocols for those seeking visas in the country.
However, this was not the end of the U.S.’s amendments to the visa vetting process.
According to the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. suspended or restricted the issuance of F and J visas for nationals of 38 designated countries and for individuals with Palestinian Authority travel documents, effective Jan. 1, 2026.
This shift coincides with Governor Ron DeSantis’ call to the Florida Board of Governors for a pause on new H-1 B visas, affecting foreign workers and researchers on university campuses.
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