Political tensions and visa uncertainties have pushed many Hong Kong and mainland Chinese students to reconsider studying in the United States, according to academic advisors. The shifting geopolitical landscape, combined with recent changes in U.S. immigration policies, has made the once highly sought-after American education less attractive to these students.
An education agency based in mainland China said that students and their families now prioritize factors such as tuition costs, degree recognition in China, and personal safety when choosing where to study abroad. These concerns have led many to favor universities in Hong Kong or Singapore over American institutions.
Kitty Wu, founder of Litz USA Student Service, told the Sing Tao Daily—a sister paper of the South China Morning Post—that U.S. tariffs and the recent wave of student visa cancellations have inevitably dampened the enthusiasm of Hong Kong and mainland students for American study programs. The escalating trade disputes and strict visa enforcement have cast a shadow on the prospect of pursuing higher education in the U.S.
Student guidance advisor Wu Baocheng from the Hong Kong Students Union pointed out that several factors contribute to the waning interest in U.S. education among Chinese students. These include the current U.S. policies towards China, the high cost of living in America, visa difficulties, concerns over personal safety, and incidents of racial discrimination. These issues collectively make alternative study destinations more appealing.
Data from the Hong Kong Education Bureau’s annual “Pathways for Form Six Students” report shows a steady decline over the past decade in the number of Hong Kong secondary school students going to the U.S. for further studies. The figures dropped dramatically from 363 students in 2015 to just 87 in 2023, reflecting a clear downward trend.
Wu added that most students currently prefer to study in countries such as the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia, which have traditionally been popular among international students and are now benefiting from the shifting preferences.
In recent months, the U.S. government has abruptly revoked numerous international student visas, including those held by Chinese students. This sudden move has caused panic among students who are either preparing to start their studies or those hoping to return home for the summer holidays. The unpredictability surrounding visa status has added a layer of anxiety to their plans.
A mainland Chinese student, who was just three weeks away from graduation, shared with Jiemian News that her F-1 student visa was revoked by her university on the grounds of “other” criminal conduct. She described herself as a high-achieving student who neither drinks alcohol nor drives. The only blemish on her record was an altercation with her ex-boyfriend a year prior, which led to a neighbor calling the police.
On Chinese social media platform “Red Note,” many mainland students studying in the U.S. are debating whether to return home for the summer break. Some students majoring in sensitive fields such as biochemistry and optoelectronics choose to stay in the U.S. to avoid potential issues at border checks upon returning to China. The heightened scrutiny has made traveling more risky for students in these programs.
However, other students disagree. One expressed, “Since there’s always a risk of deportation even if I stay in the U.S., I might as well go home. It’s not worth the worry.” This sentiment reflects the complex dilemma faced by many students caught between uncertain immigration policies and personal safety concerns.
One mainland student accepted by the Georgia Institute of Technology told Sing Tao Daily that she remains committed to her plans to study in the U.S. Nevertheless, for safety reasons, she has also begun to explore employment opportunities locally, hedging against the possibility that her student status may be compromised.
According to the Associated Press, more than 120 universities have reported that at least 790 students had their visas revoked or legal status terminated in recent weeks. Advocacy groups monitoring these cases warn that hundreds more could be affected by the crackdown.
The AP also reported that last year there were approximately 1.1 million international students enrolled in U.S. institutions. Unlike domestic students, international students are ineligible for federal financial aid, and their ability to pay tuition fees is often a decisive factor in their admission. This economic reality further complicates their situation amid tightening visa policies.
The cumulative effect of rising political tensions and unpredictable visa rules is reshaping the landscape of international education for Chinese students. As a result, Hong Kong and Singapore universities are emerging as preferred alternatives, offering a safer and more stable environment for those seeking quality education abroad.
This trend highlights how global politics and immigration policies can have far-reaching consequences on individual educational ambitions and cross-border student mobility, ultimately influencing the future of international academic exchanges.
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