US Visa Woes Drive Students Abroad, Benefit Rivals

Global Institutions See Surge in Applications as American Delays and Scrutiny Intensify

Long waits for U.S. visa interviews are causing some Chinese students to abandon their plans, with universities in Hong Kong reporting increased transfer inquiries and British institutions experiencing a significant uptick in international applications. This shift signals a potential blow to U.S. universities and the national economy.

Navigating a Complex Landscape

The U.S. administration’s efforts to reduce reliance on international enrollment and increase scrutiny on foreign students have created a challenging environment. Policies have targeted students for participating in pro-Palestinian activism, and thousands of international students briefly lost their legal status due to abrupt changes. The government’s subsequent re-evaluation and pause on appointments, alongside new social media screening for applicants, has exacerbated delays.

While the U.S. remains a top destination for many, other countries are capitalizing on the situation. A report by NAFSA, an international education organization, projects a 30% to 40% drop in new international enrollment in the U.S. this fall, potentially costing the U.S. economy $7 billion. Many international students also pay full tuition, making their absence a significant financial hit for American colleges.

Britain Emerges as a Welcoming Alternative

As the second most popular study abroad destination, the United Kingdom is poised to gain. Despite recent government efforts to curb migration and introduce time limits on post-study work visas, the U.K. is perceived as the most welcoming among major English-speaking academic hubs—the U.S., Canada, and Australia.

Official figures show a 2.2% increase in international undergraduate applications for U.K. universities this fall, with a notable 10% rise in applications from China and a 20-year high of nearly 8,000 from the U.S. Graduate program acceptances have also grown by an estimated 10%, particularly in business and management fields.

As the American brand has taken a massive hit, and the U.K. is the one that is benefiting, noted **Mike Henniger**, CEO of Illume Student Advisory Services. Data confirming the full impact will be available later in the year.

Asia’s Growing Appeal

Consultants report a rapid rise in demand for university places in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Malaysia among Chinese students. The trend toward studying in Asia, boosted by post-COVID-19 easing, has been amplified by the U.S. policy changes.

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 U.S., explained **Will Kwong**, managing director of AAS Education. Some Asian families now view the U.S. as a less certain choice due to political instability and visa complications.

Student **Alisa**, who fears being targeted, is exploring options beyond her planned U.S. master’s program at the University of California, Berkeley. I hope to still be able to go to school if the extreme scenario occurs, she stated, requesting anonymity.

Hong Kong’s leader, **John Lee**, has welcomed students denied entry to the U.S. Hong Kong University has received over 500 inquiries from U.S. students, processing around 200 transfer applications. The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology has seen a 40% surge in international undergraduate applications.

Satellite Campuses Offer New Pathways

Countries like the United Arab Emirates are actively attracting international students by establishing branch campuses with foreign universities. Dubai, aiming to become a global education hub, hosts numerous satellite campuses and saw a one-third increase in international student numbers for the 2024-2025 academic year.

Many students are now looking beyond the U.S. for higher education. 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, said **Lisa Johnson**, principal of Dubai’s American Academy for Girls. Kazakhstan is also expanding its international student programs, with U.S. universities offering degrees there, drawing students from China and Russia.

All of a sudden U.S. colleges are asking how to provide diversity, provide access, because you have students who want to come to the U.S. and can’t, observed **Daniel Palm**, who assists U.S. universities in establishing overseas campuses.