According to a survey by the British Universities International Liaison Association (BUILA), 76% of UK universities have reported a decline in enrolments from India, with overall international postgraduate enrolments dropping by 31% compared to the previous year. This trend precedes the introduction of stricter visa regulations set to take effect in June 2026. The tightening of admissions processes is partly due to universities' proactive measures to mitigate visa risks, leading to increased scrutiny of applicants. Approximately 60% of institutions noted a rise in visa refusals, while 41% faced delays in processing applications. The new traffic-light compliance system will require universities to maintain visa refusal rates below 4% to avoid sanctions. As a result, many institutions are tightening their admission criteria, which could further limit opportunities for genuine students. BUILA has called for more transparency in visa decisions to prevent deterring potential applicants and to maintain the UK's competitive edge in the global education market.