Beyond the Interview: A Decade of Student Visa Denials and What Comes Next
Last week, Shorelight released Beyond the Interview: A Decade of Student Visa Denials and What Comes Next — our third annual report on visa denials. This year’s edition takes a ten-year look at visa denial statistics. While the trends present real challenges, the findings also point to meaningful opportunities.
Recognizing the challenges, providing policymakers with clear data, and making actionable recommendations are central to this work. The report calls for the following administrative reforms:
Mandatory high-refusal training
— Required for any consular post where refusal rates exceed 70%, with a focus on objective assessments and the economic realities of the student's home country
Financial guidance standardization
— Formal guidance clarifying that proof of funding for the full duration of a multi-year program is not a reasonable requirement for a student visa
Mandatory transparency
— Clear, written explanations are required for every visa denial
The report also calls for legislative action, including expanding dual-intent protections to F-1 students and codifying OPT in statute. More broadly, the U.S. must adopt a strategic, student-centered approach that prioritizes access, clarity, and opportunity — the days of relying on reputation alone are over.
Tom Dretler, CEO and Co-Founder of Shorelight, put it plainly:
"This matters in the context of sustained and growing global demand. Today, roughly 1.2 million new students each year are seeking a Western degree taught in English — and that number continues to grow. That's why we view this moment not just as a challenge, but as an opportunity. The U.S. is not hitting a ceiling; we are effectively building one through policy. There remains a clear opportunity to course-correct: to ensure that visa adjudication reflects student merit and to maintain America's global leadership in attracting international students. Doing so is critical not only for higher education, but for the broader economic and innovation benefits that international students bring to the United States."
Student demand is growing. The opportunity is real. We hope policymakers take note — and take action.
U.S. Visa Integrity Fee Passed, Not Yet in Force: Why the Start Date Is Still Unclear
Last year, the administration introduced a $250 “Visa Integrity Fee,” which was widely expected to be implemented prior to visa issuance, with some reporting indicating it would take effect in October 2025. However, that deadline passed without action, creating confusion and concern among prospective travelers—particularly international students—as the fee is expected to apply to most nonimmigrant visas, including F-1 visas. What is becoming increasingly clear is that while it is relatively straightforward to authorize a fee through legislation, building the systems and infrastructure needed to actually collect it is far more complex.
Passing a fee into law is only the first step, as the government still needs to build the infrastructure required to collect it. For the Visa Integrity Fee, that means coordination between the State Department (which runs consulates and collects visa fees) and the Department of Homeland Security (which is expected to receive and manage the revenue). Without updated systems, procedures, and public guidance, consular staff cannot begin charging a new fee.
Until the fee is fully activated, official sources are far more reliable than advisory memos. Applicants should watch for:
Updated fee schedules on U.S. embassy and consulate websites
Changes to online appointment and payment systems, where a Visa Integrity Fee line item would likely appear
Public notices from the State Department or other agencies confirming the start of collection and any transitional rules
Upcoming Webinar: The End of Duration of Status? What Campuses and Students Need to Know to Prepare
If you are looking to learn more about the administration’s proposed rule to end Duration of Status, the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration is hosting a webinar on April 28 at 1:00 PM ET. Their webinars are consistently insightful, bringing together strong panels to explain the issue and answer questions. Registration is now open.