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India Today
02-06-2025
- Business
- India Today
US visa curbs push Indian students towards Canada, Germany, Japan
Every year, thousands of Indian students pin their hopes on a US education—drawn by its world-class universities, tech-driven job market, and the promise of a better future. But this year, that dream is under pressure. A wave of policy changes and visa restrictions under the Trump administration has sparked fear and confusion, pushing students and their families to reconsider their top institutions like Harvard University have come under political fire, with the government reportedly threatening research funding and tightening scrutiny on international collaborations. With rising uncertainty around safety, immigration, and long-term career prospects in the US, countries like Canada, Germany, Ireland, Australia, and Japan are quickly emerging as more stable and welcoming BLOCKS AND SURVEILLANCE: WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE US? The Trump administration's crackdown on immigration has sent tremors across the international student community. In addition to the abrupt pause on student visa interviews, a controversial new policy called "Catch and Revoke" is reportedly using AI to monitor students' social media for any alleged support of terrorist organisations. This, combined with the scrutiny over overstayed student visas and mounting legal pressure on top universities, has made the US an increasingly uncertain destination for Indian a visible chill in sentiment towards the US," says Piyush Kumar, Regional Director (South Asia, Canada, LATAM), IDP Education."Parents are deeply concerned about safety, visa rejection rates, and future work opportunities. Students are beginning to explore more stable countries like Canada and Germany," he EVEN TOP UNIVERSITIES LIKE HARVARD ARE BEING TARGETEDThe administration's stance isn't just about students—it's also political. A recent report revealed that President Trump's government is taking aggressive action against Harvard University, threatening its research funding and international recruitment efforts in a move some are calling authoritarian."The US is no longer the 'default' dream destination. It's now a calculated risk," says Aritra Ghosal, Founder & Director, One Step Global."We're seeing a clear shift in the aspirations of Indian students—particularly those from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities who can't afford to gamble with such uncertainty," she further ARE INDIAN STUDENTS GOING INSTEAD?1. CanadaDespite implementing a two-year cap on new study permits, Canada remains attractive due to its clear immigration pathways."Canada still offers clarity and opportunity—especially with its post-graduate work permit and PR options," says Kajal Dave, Co-founder, LaunchEd."But now, only the most committed and well-prepared students are making the cut, especially with the new financial proof requirements," she GermanyWith zero tuition fees at public universities and a booming demand for STEM graduates, Germany is climbing fast."Students are beginning to realise that Germany offers world-class education without the sticker shock," Kajal further adds."The only real barrier is language, but even that's manageable with enough prep."3. IrelandKnown for its tech ecosystem and English-speaking advantage, Ireland is increasingly popular amongst business and STEM students."Ireland is one of the few places offering a two-year stay-back even for master's students," says Aritra."Its growing Indian student community and faster visa processing make it a rising favourite," Aritra further adds.4. AustraliaAustralia continues to offer generous post-study work options, but has recently capped international intakes and raised visa fees."Despite the stricter regulations, Australia remains a strong contender—especially for those who value lifestyle and employability," says Piyush."What's changing is the profile of the student—more mature, career-focused, and financially secure," Piyush further adds.5. JapanRecently, Japan has been actively promoting itself as a top study destination for Indian students, offering expanded scholarships and simplified visa processes. Its focus on technology, robotics, and engineering education, combined with a growing Indian student community and relatively lower tuition fees, makes it an appealing is quickly becoming a favourite, especially for students interested in STEM and innovation-driven fields," says Kajal."The government's push to internationalise its campuses and offer better post-study work options is attracting more Indian students than ever before," she RESPONDING WITH FLEXIBILITY From scholarships to flexible intake windows, many non-US universities are trying to make transitions smoother for displaced or hesitant students."We've seen universities in Australia and Europe expedite admission timelines and offer digital onboarding for late joiners," shares Kajal Dave."They're clearly trying to tap into the growing number of students turned away or anxious about the US," Kajal further AND FINANCIAL TOLLThe sudden change of plans has been taxing, especially for families that invested heavily in SAT prep, application fees, and counselling for US admissions."There's a sense of betrayal amongst students who see the US as a promise," says Aritra Ghosal, Founder & Director, One Step Global."But this disruption is also helping them ask harder questions—about return on investment, residency, and long-term stability," Aritra American dream is no longer a given. As immigration policy becomes a volatile political tool, Indian students are looking elsewhere—not just for education, but for a better life and we're witnessing is a strategic redirection—not a panic reaction," concludes Piyush."Indian students are not giving up on their dreams. They're just finding better maps to reach them," Piyush Kumar further adds.
India Today
26-05-2025
- Business
- India Today
Hong Kong, Canadian institutes offer lifelines to Harvard F-1 visa holders
Harvard University is in the middle of a visa crisis after the Trump administration revoked its certification under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). The decision has placed nearly 6,800 international students at risk, inlcuding over 700 Indian students, forcing them to either transfer out or face possible deportation. A US federal court has temporarily blocked the order, but uncertainty still response, a wave of global universities -- especially in Hong Kong and Canada -- have come forward to support students holding F-1 visas, offering everything from open admissions to full scholarships and academic continuity COLLEGE OFFERS FULL SCHOLARSHIPS TO HARVARD F-1 STUDENTSCanada-based Tetr College of Business has launched a special $10 million scholarship programme for displaced Harvard students. Those accepted into its August 2025 undergraduate cohort can get full tuition scholarships (worth approx. $200,000).The college offers two programmes: Management and Technology and Science and Artificial apply, email transferadmissions@ with:A note about your F-1 visa statusProof of Harvard admission/enrolmentA brief academic or personal profileHONG KONG UNIVERSITIES OPEN DOORS FOR HARVARD STUDENTSAmid the chaos, Hong Kong's Education Bureau has urged all its universities to support affected students. Here's what different universities are doing:Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST): HKUST has extended unconditional offers to displaced Harvard students, providing streamlined admissions, academic credit transfers, visa assistance, and housing University of Hong Kong (CityU): CityU is facilitating academic continuity for international students, including doctoral candidates, by offering transfer opportunities and co-supervision arrangements with their original PhD Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK): CUHK is committed to attracting outstanding students globally and is exploring additional research funding to support scholars seeking opportunities outside the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU): PolyU invites students enrolled or admitted to Harvard and other top US institutions to transfer directly into its programmes, offering full acceptance, dedicated contact points, and personalised Kong Baptist University (HKBU): HKBU reaffirms its commitment to internationalisation and offers support to displaced international students who choose to enrol, promising assistance based on individual RESPONSE AND IMPLICATIONSThe US government's decision has sparked international concern, with institutions worldwide stepping in to support affected students. Hong Kong's proactive measures underscore its commitment to maintaining its status as an international education the situation evolves, students are encouraged to explore these opportunities to continue their academic pursuits with minimal disruption.
India Today
23-05-2025
- Politics
- India Today
How Indians who gained Harvard entry, won't get Harvard degree
Harvard, America's oldest university, has now been stripped of its right to enrol international students under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). This will be a major source of concern for hundreds of Indian students who are currently studying there. These Indian students at Harvard will now have to either switch to another certified institution or face the potential loss of their US immigration goes without saying is that gaining admission to Harvard is very tough. Finding an institution of such repute and switching will be difficult for international Department of Homeland Security revoked Harvard's certification to enrol international students, accusing it of promoting antisemitism and ties to China. Harvard rejected all allegations and called the move unlawful and vowed to keep supporting students from over 140 countries. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem informed the university that its SEVP certification was "revoked effective immediately"."I am writing to inform you that, effective immediately, Harvard University's Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification is revoked," the letter criticised Harvard for fostering what she described as an unsafe campus atmosphere, alleging it is unwelcoming to Jewish students, sympathetic to pro-Hamas views, and driven by what she termed racially biased diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) decision is set to impact foreign students in the varsity. Here are the five big points about the impact on international students after the university was stripped of its ability to enrol international students.1. HOW MANY INDIAN STUDENTS ARE STUDYING IN HARVARD?Harvard University hosts between 500 and 800 Indian students and scholars annually, according to the varsity website. At present, 788 Indian students are enroled across various students make up around 27% of Harvard's student population, with approximately 6,800 enroled. The majority of these students are pursuing graduate-level completing their degrees this semester will still be allowed to graduate. According to Noem's letter, the change will apply only to students enroled for the 2025–2026 academic year and beyond. As a result, those in Harvard's Class of 2025, expected to graduate next week, will still receive their admissions go beyond perfect grades and test scores, focusing on a holistic review that considers how applicants think, their motivations, personal growth, and unique qualities such as leadership, creativity, utilising given resources to their best and bouncing back from hardships.2. HAS THE NUMBER OF INDIANS AT HARVARD INCREASED OVER THE YEARS?Harvard has recorded a modest increase in the number of Indian students and scholars in recent students have maintained a consistent presence at Harvard over the years. Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, enrolment figures rose from 624 in 2018–19 to 659 in 2019– the pandemic led to a sharp decline, with numbers dropping to 513 in 2020–21. As conditions improved globally, the count rebounded—climbing to 613 in 2021–22, rising to 816 in 2022–23, and reaching 824 in 2023–24. For 2024–25, the figure slightly dipped to 788, reflecting a strong post-pandemic recovery President Donald Trump's crackdown has not just worried students at Harvard. With Indians being the largest cohort of international students in the US, the anxiety goes beyond.3. HOW WILL TRUMP ADMIN'S DECISION HIT INDIAN STUDENTS?While students who completed their degrees this semester will be allowed to graduate, international students who have remaining coursework must transfer to another accredited institution to maintain their legal status in the they'll lose their legal permission to remain in the present, students planning to begin their studies at Harvard in the fall of 2025 will be unable to do so unless the government reverses its stance or legal intervention Noem has given the university a 72-hour deadline to comply with specific conditions if it hopes to restore its authorisation to admit international requirements consist of handing over records of disciplining international students by submitting audio and video recordings of protest activities on campus. Harvard had previously refused to hand over this information.4. HOW IS HARVARD RESPONDING TO TRUMP'S MOVE?Harvard strongly criticised the Trump administration's decision to revoke its ability to enrol international students, labelling the move as "illegal".The varsity said that it is working to give guidance to students who are affected by this decision."We are fully committed to maintaining Harvard's ability to host international students and scholars, who hail from more than 140 countries and enrich the University - and this nation - immeasurably. We are working quickly to provide guidance and support to members of our community," the University said in a University has sued the Trump administration, challenging its decision to bar the Ivy League school from enrolling foreign students.5. WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS WITH STUDENTS AT HARVARD?The US government holds broad authority over who can enter and remain in the country—and that power reaches deeply into higher education. Colleges and universities depend on a federal system called SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System), managed by the Department of Homeland Security, to track international schools need government certification to access SEVIS. The Trump administration has revoked Harvard's certification, cutting the university off from the impact is immediate. While many students may still have valid visas, Harvard can no longer update or verify their status in SEVIS—a critical requirement for staying in the US international students have 60 days after graduation to leave the country or change their immigration status, often by finding a job. Those returning for the next academic term are usually allowed to stay through summer with Harvard locked out of SEVIS, it's uncertain whether returning students will still qualify for that grace period. The university's spring term ends May 26, making the situation Watch
India Today
23-05-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Indian, international students forced to leave Harvard? What Trump's move means
The Trump administration has taken a step that could deeply affect Indian and other international students at Harvard University. The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has revoked Harvard's ability to enroll international students under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). This means that those already studying there must either transfer to another school or risk losing their legal status in the to Harvard's official website, approximately 500 to 800 Indian scholars and students are enrolled to the university each year. Currently, there are 788 Indian students studying. Harvard has approximately 6,800 foreign students who account for about 27% of the total students. The majority of them are graduate the new decision, they have to look for another university to transfer to if they want to stay in the FOREIGN STUDENTS GRADUATE FROM HARVARD? Students who finished their degrees this semester will be permitted to graduate. Noem's letter stated the revocation will only impact students from the 2025–2026 school year onward. That means students graduating in 2025, like Harvard's Class of 2025, which is set to conclude next week, can still have their degrees conferred to international students who still have some part of their studies left must transfer to another institution to remain in the country HAPPENS TO NEWLY ADMITTED STUDENTS?advertisementAs of now, students who were about to attend Harvard in the fall of 2025 will no longer be permitted to do so unless the government reverses its decision or if a court steps in. Secretary Noem has given Harvard 72 hours to meet a list of demands if it wishes to regain its ability to enroll foreign requirements consist of handing over records of disciplining international students by submitting audio and video recordings of protest activities on campus. Harvard had previously refused to hand over this response to the revocation, Harvard said on Thursday that it is working to give guidance to students who are ADMINISTRATION VS HARVARD"I am writing to inform you that, effective immediately, Harvard University's Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification is revoked," read an official letter from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi a post on social media, Noem accused Harvard of "fostering violence, antisemitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party on its campus."This move is part of an ongoing conflict between Harvard and the Trump administration that started in early April. The controversy began when Harvard refused to comply with government directives to restrict pro-Palestinian protests and to discontinue policies dealing with diversity, equity, and agencies like the Department of Homeland Security and the National Institutes of Health have since ceased university grants. These measures have impacted various research projects undertaken by the professors at protest, Harvard sued the administration in a bid to regain the funding and reverse the is under pressure to respond quickly to the government's demands or risk losing a significant portion of its student body. Meanwhile, affected students will seek legal and academic advice on their next steps. There is also a possibility that the Supreme Court might step in to review or block the government's Reel
Malaysian Reserve
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Malaysian Reserve
Anxiety, pride as Harvard digs in for Trump 'blitzkrieg'
HARVARD students weave through tree-lined streets and redbrick campus buildings, but beneath the veneer of daily life fear has taken root: the most prestigious university in the United States is bracing for an 'assault' by President Donald Trump. Since returning to the White House, Trump has targeted prestigious universities, alleging anti-Semitism and liberal bias –with Harvard a primary quarry. He has launched what one academic called a 'blitzkrieg' of measures –arresting overseas students and researchers, slashing federal funding, and seeking to end Harvard's tax-exempt status. 'It's what they deserve!' Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform Friday. Unlike other universities that have bowed in recent days, Harvard defied Trump – suing his administration and mounting a fightback praised by students, faculty and commentators. 'This is not about scalping (Harvard). This is about blitzkrieg and bringing out the biggest guns that you have,' said Sheila Jasanoff, a Harvard Kennedy School professor, her bookcases overflowing with books and articles. 'There's been essentially no check to the appetite of this administration.' First-year student Feodora Douplitzky-Lunati said 'there's a lot more wariness' among foreign students who fear they could be caught in immigration raids like those at Tufts and Columbia. Signs have advised international students not to discuss visa status, said Douplitzky-Lunati, who plans to study Slavic studies and economics. Harvard researcher Kseniia Petrova has been detained since February, after her visa was revoked returning from France. Students involved in pro-Palestinian protests following the October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel and the Gaza conflict have been arrested and slated for deportation at other campuses. Trump's team imposed an April 30 deadline for universities to hand over international student data or risk losing a key certification to sponsor international students – affecting 27 percent of Harvard's student body. In an email seen by AFP, Harvard said it complied, but encouraged students to focus on their studies. 'I'm very concerned for my peers, and I hope most of my friends are as well,' said fourth-year US student Alice Goyer, sitting in a park near campus as students sipped coffee serenaded by a guitarist. '(We're) at the forefront of a political battle… And I think the international students especially have been caught in the crossfire – they're kind of being used as bargaining tools,' she said, accusing Trump of using an 'authoritarian' playbook. Students described growing anxiety. Many foreign students face the dilemma of leaving for summer break and risking being denied re-entry to the United States. Alongside visa measures, Trump has targeted Harvard's finances. He put $9 billion in federal funding under review, ultimately freezing $2.2 billion in grants and $60 million in contracts in an opening salvo. Harvard imposed a hiring freeze, some researchers received stop-work orders, and its Chan School of Public Health was particularly exposed to the cuts. 'The administration have been much more aggressive than anyone anticipated. There's going to be chaos. The staff will get smaller,' said one casualty of the cuts who suggested US HIV and tuberculosis cases would increase as a result. In remarks to alumni shared with AFP, Harvard President Alan Garber said Wednesday the university's endowment cannot legally offset shortfalls caused by Trump. 'It is an assault on higher education. We must join not only with the rest of the academic community, but with civil society,' he said according to an alum on the call. Another said Garber described the situation as a long, existential battle, and appealed for alumni donations. While Goyer said she was 'very proud right now to be a Harvard student' because of its defiance, she acknowledged Harvard had yielded on some points. Harvard has said it would rename its diversity, equity and inclusion department – which had drawn Trump's ire – and defund graduation events held by affinity groups for Black, Latino, LGBTQ and other minority students. 'I think it's related to the Trump demands,' Goyer said. 'It's still kind of bowing down to Trump.' Leo Gerden, an economics and government student from Sweden, has defied the risks and become a visible international protester against Trump's policies. 'People are scared, and I understand them,' the 22-year-old said, citing the arrest by immigration officers of Rumeysa Ozturk at nearby Tufts, who wrote a pro-Palestinian op-ed. 'Trump's strategy right now is to (make) an example out of a few people – like Rumeysa – to scare everyone else into silence. 'My hope is that by the end of this we're gonna see protests just as big as during the Vietnam War.' — AFP
