Visa Trends: The US Needs a New International Education Plan
We reported last week on declining visa approvals for students out of India for 2024. Our team has been tracking the numbers and raising the issue with trade associations and congressional staff. We are finally beginning to see the media and some schools begin to catch up on this issue. This article has some valuable statistics and confirms our internal data. It ties the decline in numbers to visa denials and directly addresses the need for a national strategy.
So, what’s behind the 2024 decline in F1 visas for both China and India? A key factor appears to be rising visa refusal rates. In 2013, the refusal rate for F1 visas was 14.80%, but by 2023, this had climbed to 36.26%. While this rate reflects overall visa refusals and is not country-specific, it highlights a growing challenge.
Since 2015, when 644,233 F1 visas were issued overall by the US, there has been a general downward trend, with a low of 111,387 recorded in 2020, with a rebound to 445,418 in 2024. However, the gap remains substantial, driven in part by rising visa refusal rates and a decrease in applications from countries like China.
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Industry Experts Conclude that Better Recruitment Results Begin with a Focus on Student Outcomes
Being aware of what’s driving a student’s enrollment choice is powerful. With so many options within our portfolio, understanding these decision-making factors should allow us to better help students find their right fit in the US. As both domestic and international students grapple with the issues of tuition, job opportunities post-graduation, and ever-increasing costs of living, they want to know that they are going to get the best return on their education investment. This article takes a look at these issues and how schools can better align with students’ goals.
At the same time, governments in major study destinations are beginning to link student mobility to domestic labour market trends. In Canada, for example, some post-graduate work permits are now tied to sectors with long-term skills shortages, such as healthcare and technology. Marie Braswell, associate vice president of Centennial College, explains, “Canada is really clearly sending messages that they’re looking for students who meet labour market gap eligibility.” The same could be said of the Optional Training Program in the United States, which grants an extended post-study work term to graduates of STEM programmes. Policymakers around the world are watching these developments as more countries seek to rapidly expand their international student numbers.
Learn more on ICEF Monitor >
Confusion as US Government Offers Conflicting Advice Over F-1 Study Abroad
We reported on this policy change a few weeks ago and wanted to share new reporting. This policy change impacts international students who study abroad in the US, and it seems as though international students got caught up in a rule change that wasn’t meant for them. Unfortunately, once again, US policy is trying to catch up to the problem. This article outlines why there is confusion on the rule; SEVP says one thing while USCIS says another. We anticipate getting clarification on the rule soon, and will continue to monitor and report as new information is released.
Stakeholders widely believe that introducing further restrictions was not the government’s intention, with Intead CEO Ben Waxman maintaining that “USCIS is staffed and led by smart well-meaning people… These kinds of internal conflicts between goals and policies happen all the time”.
Get the full story on The PIE News >
1 in 4 Students Nixes a College Based on State Politics, Survey Shows
While this story doesn’t involve any stats on international students, it is an interesting read. For those international students and their families who have concerns about these issues, this article could be helpful in understanding and addressing their concerns.
The share of students who say they ruled out a college due solely to geopolitics has increased only slightly, from 24 percent in 2023 to 28 percent this year. But significantly more students cite particular sociopolitical issues—such as abortion rights, gun control and LGBTQ+ rights—as exerting some or absolute influence on why they nixed a certain institution.
Read more on Inside Higher Ed >
