US universities report more Chinese applicants despite visa crackdown
With some US universities kicking off their academic year this month and Chinese students subject to increased scrutiny from Washington amid heated geopolitical rivalry, many institutions were concerned they would receive fewer applications from China, a prized source of tuition fee revenue amid cuts to state and federal education budgets. But a report issued by the Institute of International…
In the midst of heightened political tensions between the United States and China, US universities have reported a surge in Chinese student applications despite recent visa restrictions. With the new academic year underway, many institutions were initially concerned they would receive fewer applications from China, given the increased scrutiny from Washington.
However, a recent report by the Institute of International Education revealed that 65% of American higher-education institutions had either seen increases or stability in Chinese applications compared to the previous year.
The survey, conducted in May and June, covered 585 universities and colleges. While 59% of institutions reported a decline in total international applicants, 14% noted increases. The largest decrease in applications was observed for India, the US's primary source of international students, with only 39% of institutions indicating stable or increased applications.
US President Donald Trump has targeted Chinese students, citing alleged ties to the Communist Party and concerns over the transfer of sensitive US data. However, Trump has also emphasized the economic benefits of foreign students, stating that halving their number would devastate the US university and college system. Despite these concerns, Chinese students continue to apply to top American universities, believing that a degree from such institutions would lead to lucrative careers.
Cornelius Kubler, a professor of Asian studies at Williams College in Massachusetts, attributed this persistence to the deeply ingrained belief in the value of a prestigious American degree among Chinese students and their families. The visa application process has also posed challenges for Chinese students, with limited appointment availability at US consulates in China.
Chinese students have faced difficulties securing visas due to the new regulations limiting student and cultural exchange visas to a maximum of four years, announced by the US Department of Homeland Security. The US State Department has also revoked over 100,000 visas held by individuals with alleged criminal ties. Some US universities have reported Chinese students being denied visas, leading to static or declining enrollment.
The Chinese study-abroad consultancy EIC Education reported 265,919 Chinese students in the US for the 2024-25 academic year, down from 110 in 2020. Several universities, including the University of Alaska Fairbanks and the University of New Mexico, have experienced declines in Chinese student enrollment. However, other institutions remain unaffected by these trends.
Despite these challenges, some Chinese students remain determined to pursue their education in the United States. Jenno Huang, a Hong Kong high school graduate, plans to start his sports marketing and management studies at Indiana University Bloomington this month. He faced scrutiny from US visa officers during his interview but ultimately secured a visa.
Written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written; read the original for the full account.
