International Students Turn to Asia as Visa Barriers Rise
International students are turning away from the United States and Britain towards universities in Asia, a global university survey showed on Thursday.
Students are choosing universities in Asia and continental Europe instead, as visa restrictions redraw the map of higher education. The survey covered 437 universities in 63 countries and was carried out by Studyportals, a Netherlands-based student recruitment platform, NAFSA, a US-based non-profit that advocates for international education, and the Oxford Test of English, run by Oxford University Press.
Britain and the US recorded the steepest drops in international undergraduate numbers, down 19 per cent and 13 per cent respectively in the October to August period compared with the same period a year earlier. Canada and Australia also saw weaker demand, while universities in Asia and Europe reported stronger international enrolment growth.
Visa rules are now the biggest barrier
The survey found that visa restrictions and government policies were the biggest barriers to recruitment. Processing delays, tougher screening and changes to post-study work rules prompted students to defer or abandon plans to enrol.
US institutions were the most pessimistic about the outlook, with more than a third expecting enrolments to decline further in the coming years.
The decline in interest in US universities comes after President Donald Trump tightened scrutiny of international students. His administration expanded social media checks, revoked thousands of visas and brought in tougher rules on how long students can stay in the country.
The survey was carried out before the November 3 midterm elections in the US, in which Democrats won control of both chambers of Congress. The president retains executive authority over visa rules, so the survey’s findings still stand.
Britain has also tightened its student visa rules as successive governments seek to reduce immigration. The changes restrict most international students from bringing dependants, and the government plans to shorten the period graduates can remain in the country to work or seek employment.
“These survey results affirm what we’ve observed before: national policies matter to international students making major decisions about where to study, conduct research, or start a career,” said Dr Fanta Aw, the executive director and chief executive of NAFSA.
What the shift means for international students
International students typically pay far higher fees than domestic students, so they are a major source of revenue for universities, helping to offset teaching and research costs. A fall in their numbers hits university budgets in the US and Britain, while rising numbers bring income and talent to universities in Asia and Europe.
For Pakistani families weighing study abroad, the map is changing too. Canada, long a favoured destination, is also tightening its rules: Canada’s Bill C-12 has brought tougher visa and asylum measures. At the same time, scholarship routes remain open, including the Chevening scholarships offered with Allied Bank in Britain.
Pakistan and the US are also working to keep academic links open. Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar recently discussed closer academic and think tank exchanges with former US diplomat Robin Raphel. And for workers heading abroad, the UAE has scrapped paperwork for 13 work permits, a reminder that Gulf destinations are easing entry even as Western countries tighten it.
Students now face a harder calculation than a few years ago. The choice is no longer only about university rankings. Visa processing times, the right to bring family, the length of post-study work rights and the risk of a visa refusal all weigh on the decision, and the survey shows those factors are already moving students towards Asia and continental Europe.
Frequently asked questions
Which countries lost the most international students?
Britain recorded the steepest drop, with international undergraduate numbers down 19 per cent, followed by the US, down 13 per cent, in the October to August period.
Why are students turning to Asia and Europe?
Visa restrictions, processing delays, tougher screening and changes to post-study work rules in the US and Britain are pushing students to defer or abandon plans, while universities in Asia and Europe report stronger enrolment growth.
Who carried out the survey?
Studyportals, NAFSA and the Oxford Test of English surveyed 437 universities in 63 countries.
What did the US change for international students?
The Trump administration expanded social media checks, revoked thousands of visas and tightened rules on how long international students can stay in the country.
