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Canada News.Net
09-08-2025
- Business
- Canada News.Net
Other countries gain as US limits international student enrolment
LONDON, U.K.: As the Trump administration ramped up pressure on U.S. colleges to reduce their reliance on international students, while tightening immigration rules and adding more scrutiny for foreign applicants, other countries began to see an opportunity. The U.S. government sparked outrage in the spring by targeting international students who took part in pro-Palestinian protests. Some were threatened with deportation, and the legal status of thousands of international students was suddenly revoked — in some cases over minor infractions like traffic tickets. These moves added to the growing sense of uncertainty among international students in America. Although the U.S. is still a top destination for higher education, many students are now seriously looking at other countries they may not have considered before. This shift could have lasting consequences for American universities and the broader economy. One sign of the trouble is that long visa delays in China have led many students to give up on studying in the U.S. entirely. Universities in Hong Kong report a rise in transfer requests from international students currently enrolled in the U.S., while the U.K. has seen a surge in applications for undergraduate programs. According to a study by NAFSA, an organization that promotes global education, international enrollment in the U.S. could fall by 30 to 40 percent this fall. That would result in an estimated US$7 billion loss to the American economy. Many international students pay full tuition, so their absence also creates financial strain for colleges. Britain, the second-most popular country for international education, stands to gain. Even as the new Labour government vows to tighten immigration and limit the length of time foreign graduates can stay and work, admissions experts say the U.K. is still seen as the most welcoming among the four major English-speaking destinations: the U.S., the U.K., Canada, and Australia. Recent numbers back this up. Undergraduate applications from international students to U.K. universities rose 2.2 percent this fall after a drop last year. Applications from China grew 10 percent, and U.S. applications hit nearly 8,000 — a 14 percent rise and the highest in 20 years. Graduate school acceptances from international students also climbed by about 10 percent, especially in business and management programs, according to UniQuest, a firm that works with British universities. Mike Henniger, CEO of Illume Student Advisory Services, said it will take until the fall to get a clear picture of how significant the shift really is. But already, he said, "the American brand has taken a massive hit — and the U.K. is the one that is benefiting." In Asia, demand from Chinese students is growing fast for universities in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Malaysia, said Will Kwong of AAS Education, a Hong Kong-based consultancy. Many Western universities have offshore campuses in these regions that are less expensive and easier to access than studying in the U.S. or U.K. Kwong added that some Asian families no longer see the U.S. as their automatic first choice due to the political climate and visa troubles. Many students are still waiting for U.S. visa interviews and are likely to miss the start of the fall semester. Still, some remain hopeful. Alisa, a Chinese undergraduate studying data science, plans to attend an exchange program this fall at the University of California, Berkeley. Despite the growing difficulties, she hopes to stay on for a master's degree in the U.S. But she is also looking into other options, "just so I could still go to school if the extreme scenario occurs," said Alisa, who spoke on condition of partial anonymity out of fear of being targeted.
Gulf Today
07-08-2025
- Business
- Gulf Today
US is no longer first choice for international students
In China, wait times for US visa interviews are so long that some students have given up. Universities in Hong Kong are fielding transfer inquiries from foreign students in the US, and international applications for British undergraduate programs have surged. President Donald Trump's administration has been pressuring US colleges to reduce their dependence on international enrollment while adding new layers of scrutiny for foreign students as part of its crackdown on immigration. The US government has sought to deport foreign students for participating in pro-Palestinian activism, reported Associated Press. In the spring, it abruptly revoked the legal status of thousands of international students, including some whose only brush with law enforcement was a traffic ticket. After reversing course, the government paused new appointments for student visas while rolling out a process for screening applicants' social media US remains the first choice for many international students, but institutions elsewhere are recognizing opportunity in the upheaval, and applicants are considering destinations they might have otherwise overlooked. The impact on US universities — and the nation's economy — may be significant. New international enrollment in the US could drop by 30% to 40% this fall, according to an analysis of visa and enrollment data by NAFSA, an agency that promotes international education. That would deprive the US economy of $7 billion in spending, according to the analysis. Many international students pay full price, so their absence would also hurt college budgets, Associated Press reported. As the second most popular destination for international students, Britain is positioned to benefit. The country's new Labour government has vowed to cut migration, and officials have imposed time limits on post-study visas allowing graduates to stay and work. But admissions consultants say the United Kingdom is still seen as the most welcoming of the traditional "big four" English-speaking destinations in higher education — the US, UK, Canada and Australia. After declining last year, the number of international applications for undergraduate study in the UK this fall grew by 2.2%, official figures show. A record number of applications came from China, up 10% compared with the previous year. Applications from the US also reached nearly 8,000 students — an increase of 14% and a 20-year high. Acceptances of international students for graduate programs in the UK grew an estimated 10% from last year, driven by demand for business and management courses in particular, according to data from UniQuest, which works with many British universities on admissions. Data showing the extent of any impact will not be available until fall, said Mike Henniger, CEO of Illume Student Advisory Services, a consultancy that works with colleges in the US, Canada and Europe. "But the American brand has taken a massive hit, and the UK is the one that is benefiting," he said. Demand from Chinese students has risen rapidly for universities places in Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia, said Will Kwong, managing director of AAS Education, a consultancy in Hong Kong. Many Western universities have offshore campuses there that are more affordable than going to the US or UK. "Opting for study in Asia has been a trend since the easing of COVID-19," Kwong said. "But obviously it's been exacerbated by the change of administration in the US." Some Asian families have told him the US is no longer their clear first choice because of political turbulence and visa difficulties, many are still waiting for US visa interviews and will likely miss the start of the fall term, Kwong said. Chinese college student Alisa, who is studying data science, plans to attend an exchange program this fall at the University of California, Berkeley. She hopes to pursue a master's degree in the US. But she is also looking into other options "just so I could still go to school if the extreme scenario occurs," said Alisa, who spoke on condition of partial anonymity out of fear of being targeted.
India Today
07-08-2025
- Business
- India Today
Student enrolment in US drops due to visa restrictions, UK and Asia gain ground
International student enrolment in the United States is witnessing a steep decline this year, as several countries, including the United Kingdom and Asian education hubs like Hong Kong and Singapore, experience a significant surge in to data analysis by NAFSA, an agency that promotes international education, new international enrolments in the US could fall by 30 to 40 percent this sharp drop is being attributed to a combination of policy tightening, visa delays, and political unrest, especially under the administration of former President Donald Trump. The recent US policy direction includes more stringent visa screenings, pauses in visa appointments, and even threats of deportation linked to political activism."The American brand has taken a massive hit, and the UK is the one that is benefiting," said Mike Henniger, CEO of Illume Student Advisory Services, as reported by WAITS AND UNCERTAINTYIn countries like China, visa appointment backlogs have been so severe that some students are abandoning their plans to study in the US partial anonymity, Chinese student Alisa, who plans to attend a semester at the University of California, Berkeley, said she is also exploring backup options "just so I could still go to school if the extreme scenario occurs."Hong Kong has received over 500 enquiries from US-based international students seeking transfers, and about 200 applications are currently being processed, according to Hong Kong University. At the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, international undergraduate applications are up 40 percent this AND AUSTRALIA CAPITALISE ON THE SHIFTThe United Kingdom, the second-most popular destination for global students, is seeing clear gains. Despite the new Labour government's stance on cutting migration and setting time limits on post-study work visas, international applications have data shows a 2.2 percent rise in undergraduate applications this autumn, including a record 10 percent increase from China and a 14 percent surge in applications from the US. Graduate admissions are also up by 10 percent, particularly in business and management too, has moved to accommodate more international students, raising its intake cap to 2.95 lakh in TOWARDS ASIA AND SATELLITE CAMPUSESAsian education centres like Singapore, Hong Kong, and Malaysia are becoming more attractive due to affordability and fewer visa challenges. Will Kwong of AAS Education said, 'Opting for study in Asia has been a trend since the easing of COVID-19, but obviously it's been exacerbated by the change of administration in the US.'advertisementHong Kong's Chief Executive, John Lee, has assured that the city would welcome students denied US entry. The city has recently allowed international students to work countries like the United Arab Emirates and Kazakhstan are gaining traction by offering branch campuses of foreign universities. Dubai now hosts dozens of international institutions, with its international student numbers growing by a third in Johnson of Dubai's American Academy for Girls remarked, 'Every student wants and dreams to go to Harvard. But as college options increase in the United Arab Emirates, more and more students are staying.'Institutions like Illinois Tech and the University of Arizona have begun offering degrees in Kazakhstan, appealing to students from China and Palm, who has helped US universities expand overseas, noted the ongoing challenge: 'All of a sudden, US colleges are asking how to provide diversity, provide access, because you have students who want to come to the US and can't.'(With inputs from AP)- Ends
NDTV
06-08-2025
- Business
- NDTV
Trump Cracks Down On Foreign Students, College Applications Rise Outside US
LONDON: In China, wait times for US visa interviews are so long that some students have given up. Universities in Hong Kong are fielding transfer inquiries from foreign students in the US, and international applications for British undergraduate programs have surged. President Donald Trump's administration has been pressuring US colleges to reduce their dependence on international enrollment while adding new layers of scrutiny for foreign students as part of its crackdown on immigration. The US government has sought to deport foreign students for participating in pro-Palestinian activism. In the spring, it abruptly revoked the legal status of thousands of international students, including some whose only brush with law enforcement was a traffic ticket. After reversing course, the government paused new appointments for student visas while rolling out a process for screening applicants' social media accounts. The US remains the first choice for many international students, but institutions elsewhere are recognising opportunity in the upheaval, and applicants are considering destinations they might have otherwise overlooked. The impact on US universities - and the nation's economy - may be significant. New international enrollment in the US could drop by 30% to 40% this fall, according to an analysis of visa and enrollment data by NAFSA, an agency that promotes international education. That would deprive the US economy of $7 billion in spending, according to the analysis. Many international students pay full price, so their absence would also hurt college budgets. As the second most popular destination for international students, Britain is positioned to benefit. The country's new Labour government has vowed to cut migration, and officials have imposed time limits on post-study visas, allowing graduates to stay and work. But admissions consultants say the United Kingdom is still seen as the most welcoming of the traditional "big four" English-speaking destinations in higher education - the US, UK, Canada and Australia. After declining last year, the number of international applications for undergraduate study in the UK this fall grew by 2.2%, official figures show. A record number of applications came from China, up 10% compared with the previous year. Applications from the US also reached nearly 8,000 students - an increase of 14% and a 20-year high. Acceptances of international students for graduate programs in the UK grew an estimated 10% from last year, driven by demand for business and management courses in particular, according to data from UniQuest, which works with many British universities on admissions. Data showing the extent of any impact will not be available until fall, said Mike Henniger, CEO of Illume Student Advisory Services, a consultancy that works with colleges in the US, Canada and Europe. "But the American brand has taken a massive hit, and the UK is the one that is benefiting," he said. Demand from Chinese students has risen rapidly for university places in Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia, said Will Kwong, managing director of AAS Education, a consultancy in Hong Kong. Many Western universities have offshore campuses there that are more affordable than going to the US or the UK. "Opting for study in Asia has been a trend since the easing of COVID-19," Kwong said. "But it's been exacerbated by the change of administration in the US" Some Asian families have told him the U.S. is no longer their clear first choice because of political turbulence and visa difficulties; many are still waiting for US visa interviews and will likely miss the start of the fall term, Kwong said. Chinese college student Alisa, who is studying data science, plans to attend an exchange program this fall at the University of California, Berkeley. She hopes to pursue a master's degree in the US. But she is also looking into other options, "just so I could still go to school if the extreme scenario occurs," said Alisa, who spoke on condition of partial anonymity out of fear of being targeted. Hong Kong will welcome any students who are denied entry to the US, the city's leader, John Lee, has said. Last year, the Chinese territory decided to allow international students to work part-time. Hong Kong University said it has received over 500 inquiries from students in the US and is processing around 200 applications for transfer. At another school, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, international undergraduate applications have surged by 40% from last year, said Alison Lloyd, associate provost for institutional data and research. Countries, including the United Arab Emirates, have invested heavily in attracting international students by partnering with universities elsewhere to host branch campuses. These arrangements could appeal to students who fear being denied access to the US. Dubai, which has designs on becoming a global education hub, hosts dozens of international institutions' satellite campuses. It saw international student numbers grow by a third in 2024-2025. Lisa Johnson, principal of Dubai's private American Academy for Girls, said her mostly Emirati student body is increasingly looking away from the US for college. "Every student wants and dreams to go to Harvard," she said. "But as college options increase in the United Arab Emirates, more and more students are staying." Kazakhstan has similar ambitions, said Daniel Palm, who has helped US universities set up campuses abroad. Illinois Tech and the University of Arizona are among colleges offering degree programs in the Central Asian country, drawing students mostly from China and Russia. "All of a sudden, US colleges are asking how to provide diversity, provide access," Palm said, "because you have students who want to come to the US and can't." (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Newsweek
06-08-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
Trump's Immigration Plan Pushes College Students Admissions Elsewhere
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. President Donald Trump's hard‑line immigration policies are prompting a growing number of international students to bypass the United States for universities in the United Kingdom, Asia and beyond — a shift that could cost U.S. colleges billions. The administration has urged American universities to cut their dependence on foreign enrollment while ramping up scrutiny of student visa applicants. This spring, the government sought to deport international students for participating in pro‑Palestinian activism and abruptly revoked the legal status of thousands of others — some for minor infractions like traffic tickets. After reversing course, the administration froze new student‑visa appointments and began screening applicants' social media accounts. An Emirati student arrives at the building of the University of Wollongong in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Dec. 28, 2009. An Emirati student arrives at the building of the University of Wollongong in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Dec. 28, 2009. Associated Press The impact is already being felt. In China, wait times for U.S. visa interviews are so long that some students have given up. Hong Kong universities report hundreds of transfer inquiries from foreign students in America. And applications to British undergraduate programs have surged. The U.S. remains the top choice for many, but institutions abroad are seizing the moment. The NAFSA: Association of International Educators projects new international enrollment in the U.S. could fall 30 to 40 percent this fall — a potential $7 billion hit to the economy. With many foreign students paying full tuition, the drop could deal a sharp blow to college finances. Britain, the second‑most popular destination for international students, appears well placed to gain from America's loss. Despite new limits on post‑study visas under the Labour government, the U.K. is still considered the most welcoming of the major English‑speaking destinations. Undergraduate applications from China rose 10 percent this year, while those from the U.S. jumped 14 percent — a 20‑year high. Graduate program acceptances climbed an estimated 10 percent, driven by business and management courses. "The American brand has taken a massive hit, and the U.K. is the one that is benefiting," said Mike Henniger, CEO of Illume Student Advisory Services. In Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia, demand from Chinese students is rising quickly, said Will Kwong, managing director of AAS Education. Many Western universities have branch campuses in Asia that are cheaper and easier to access than schools in the U.S. or U.K. "Opting for study in Asia has been a trend since the easing of COVID‑19," Kwong said. "But obviously it's been exacerbated by the change of administration in the U.S." Chinese student Alisa, who is heading to the University of California, Berkeley for an exchange program, still hopes to earn a master's in the U.S. But she is exploring backup options "just so I could still go to school if the extreme scenario occurs." Hong Kong's leader John Lee has openly invited students barred from the U.S. to enroll there, and local universities are seeing record applications. Countries such as the United Arab Emirates and Kazakhstan are also benefiting by hosting satellite campuses of Western universities. Dubai's American Academy for Girls principal Lisa Johnson said more graduates are staying close to home. "Every student wants and dreams to go to Harvard," she said, "but as college options increase in the United Arab Emirates, more and more students are staying." "All of a sudden U.S. colleges are asking how to provide diversity, provide access," said Daniel Palm, who helps American universities set up campuses abroad, "because you have students who want to come to the U.S. and can't." This article includes reporting by the Associated Press.
