Tighter visa rules push international students from US and UK to Asia

Record drops in Western enrolment numbers

Britain and the US recorded the steepest declines in international undergraduate numbers during the October-August period. International student counts fell by 19 percent in Britain and 13 percent in the United States compared to the same period a year earlier. Canada and Australia also saw weaker demand while universities in Asia and Europe reported stronger growth. The survey covered 437 universities across 63 countries conducted by Studyportals, NAFSA and Oxford Test of English.

Policy changes drive student migration

Visa restrictions and government policies were identified as the biggest barriers to recruitment for international students. Processing delays, tougher screening procedures and changes to post-study work rules prompted many students to defer or abandon their enrolment plans. President Donald Trump tightened scrutiny of international students by expanding social media checks and revoking thousands of visas. Like previous administrations aiming to lower total migration, the UK has also made its student visa regulations stricter.

Institutions face uncertain future outlook

US institutions were the most pessimistic about the outlook with more than a third expecting enrolments to decline further in coming years. Democrats secured control of both congressional chambers in the November 3 midterm elections following a prior survey. Although the president retains executive authority over visa rules, national policies clearly matter to students making major decisions about where to study. Dr Fanta Aw noted that these results affirm observations that national policies influence international student choices significantly.