Chinese students drop in US due to visa delays, security worries
The number of Chinese students pursuing their studies in the United States declined once more in the 2024-25 academic year, despite their status as the second-largest international student group, following Indians. Despite the decline, Chinese students remained the largest financial contributors to the US economy. As per reports, referencing data, indicated that 265,919 Chinese students pursued their studies in the US during the 2024-25 academic year, reflecting a 4 percent decline from the prior year. Indian enrolments increased for the second consecutive year. India, having surpassed China last year for the first time in nearly 15 years, experienced a 9 percent increase in its student numbers, reaching 363,019 in 2024-25. Despite the reversal in overall numbers, both groups maintained their significant contributions to the US economy. In 2024, Chinese students contributed $14.6 billion, whereas Indian students added $14.0 billion. China continued to be the largest source of undergraduate and non-degree students; however, enrolments at all levels, including undergraduate, graduate, and non-degree, experienced a decline ranging from 2 per cent to 10 per cent compared to the previous year, the news report stated. The most recent IIE data indicates that 51.9 percent of Chinese students in the United States are pursuing studies in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) programs. Among Indian students, the share stands at a notable 71.7 per cent, consistent with the previous year. Since returning to office, Trump’s administration has implemented various measures impacting international students. These encompass visa delays, travel bans, threats of deportation associated with specific types of speech, and suggestions to alter the H-1B work visa regulations that numerous international graduates depend on.
Chinese students have encountered heightened scrutiny. In May, Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the US would “aggressively” revoke visas of Chinese students associated with the Communist Party or engaged in sensitive fields. He also announced stricter vetting procedures for applicants from mainland China and Hong Kong. The US welcomed 1.18 million international students in 2024-25, reflecting a 5 per cent increase from the prior year, solidifying its status as the world’s premier destination for higher education. Trump has recently conveyed a more optimistic perspective regarding international students. In an interview on Monday, he expressed that he regarded the issue “as a business. The students pay more than double when they come in from most foreign countries. I want to see our school system thrive,” he said. Earlier this year, he stated, “I would allow 600,000 Chinese students to study in the US.” From 2009-10, Chinese students represented the largest foreign group in the US, but their numbers began to decline after 2019-20. At their peak, over 372,000 Chinese students were enrolled in the US, accounting for 35 percent of all international students. The number of Americans studying in China has experienced a modest rebound from the lows observed during the pandemic. In the academic year 2023-24, a total of 1,749 Americans pursued their studies in China, a significant increase from the 469 who did so in the prior year. The peak occurred in 2018-19, with over 11,600 Americans enrolled at Chinese institutions.
According to the reports, there has been a decline in the number of international students applying to US colleges this year, indicating that the White House’s initiatives to restrict foreign enrolments might be influencing this trend. The Common App, which serves as the primary college application platform in the US with more than 1,100 member universities, reported that international applications submitted by November 1 decreased by 9 percent compared to the previous year. India, the largest source of foreign students, has experienced a 14 per cent drop, marking the first decline since 2020. Applications from Africa experienced a decline of 18 per cent, whereas Asia noted a decrease of 9 per cent. China experienced a 1 percent decline, marking a reversal from the robust growth observed last year. Among the top 10 countries that have historically sent the most students, there was a decline in applications across the board, with the exception of Vietnam and Uzbekistan.
Last year, international applications were higher at this point, but by March they had experienced a slight decline following stricter federal oversight of student visas and increased pressure on colleges to lessen their dependence on full-fee-paying foreign students. This year, the Trump administration has taken significant actions by revoking thousands of visas, arresting students engaged in pro-Palestinian activities, limiting visa interview slots, and introducing new application requirements. Universities hosting significant numbers of international students are facing increased examination regarding their admissions practices, complaints of antisemitism, and adherence to visa regulations, as per reports. Cornell University has recently reached a settlement that will restore $250 million in federal funding. The agreement mandates that the university allocate $30 million towards agricultural research over a span of three years, in addition to remitting another $30 million to the US government. In July, Columbia University entered into a distinct settlement, committing to lessen its financial reliance on international students and to aid immigration authorities in addressing visa violations.
