On May 29, 2025, as Harvard University held its 374th commencement ceremony in Cambridge, Massachusetts, concerns about U.S. visa policies cast a shadow over many international students’ plans.
A Chinese student, Yang Zhigang, who studies English at Beijing Foreign Studies University and has been admitted to a dual-degree master’s program in Social Policy and Public Administration at the University of Pennsylvania, received a green slip instead of the expected F-1 student visa at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing last Wednesday morning. This means his visa application will undergo additional administrative processing, delaying the decision for approximately two weeks—potentially jeopardizing his plan to begin studies in the U.S. this August.
Yang recalled that his interview atmosphere was notably more tense than when he attended a student exchange program in the U.S. two years ago. The visa officer asked only two questions: which university he planned to attend, and what he had done in the U.S. the previous year. Yang explained that he had participated in an exchange at UC Berkeley and visited friends during a holiday, including attending a concert.
“The officer typed continuously on the computer, then took my passport and gave me a green slip saying they needed extra administrative review,” Yang said. He was told to expect updates in about two weeks.
Yang emphasized that his major is generally not considered sensitive, and in the past, students in his field rarely faced visa obstacles, unlike those in engineering or doctoral programs.
He noted that recent U.S. visa policies, including former President Donald Trump’s calls to suspend visa interviews and review social media accounts, may have contributed to the tense atmosphere.
On May 27, the U.S. suspended new visa interviews for international students entering the country, intending to strengthen social media scrutiny. Because Yang’s appointment was scheduled days before this announcement, he was able to complete his interview before the suspension took effect in early June.
Yang expressed concern over widespread rumors about possible revocation of Chinese student visas. “I don’t have a backup plan like taking a gap year or studying in another country. All my master’s applications were for U.S. universities,” he said.
Rising Anxiety Among Chinese Students
Yang’s experience reflects growing anxiety among Chinese students amid shifts in U.S. policies toward international students.
On Thursday morning, a heated discussion erupted on China’s social media platform Xiaohongshu (also known as RedNote) in a group chat about Trump’s executive order issued Wednesday, which restricts foreign student visas at Harvard University. This order temporarily bans nearly all new Harvard students from entering the U.S. on visas commonly used for study or academic exchange.
The announcement shocked Chinese students—many currently studying or preparing to study at Harvard—who voiced their concerns in the “Harvard F-1 Student Support Group” on Xiaohongshu, created to share overseas study information and advice.
Two Chinese students holding F-1 and J-1 visas, who were flying from Hong Kong to Boston, said they learned of the new policy mid-flight but were admitted to the U.S. without issue on Thursday afternoon.
Meanwhile, some incoming students planning to travel to the U.S. in the coming days said they contacted Harvard’s international office urgently and were advised to delay travel until the situation became clearer.
“If anyone manages to enter, please update the group,” one student said.
In response to the order, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated on Thursday that China opposes politicizing educational cooperation and warned that such U.S. actions harm America’s international reputation.
“We will firmly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese students and scholars overseas,” Lin said.
Part of a Broader U.S. Strategy
The visa suspension follows a series of recent U.S. policy moves targeting Chinese students. At the end of last month, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced plans to revoke visas of certain Chinese students, especially those studying in “critical fields.”
Chen Zhiwen, director at the China Education Development Strategy Research Association, said visa restrictions and revocations are key components of the U.S. strategy to contain China.
Chen explained that the U.S. recognizes that as long as China cultivates talent, decoupling technology is only temporary, prompting a simultaneous talent suppression approach.
Liu Wei, Senior Vice President and CEO of the International Education Division at New Channel International Education Group, said the U.S. has long been vigilant about risks of technology transfer.
Liu noted that intensified technological competition has led to more cautious attitudes toward certain international students, especially those in STEM fields such as AI, aerospace, quantum computing, electronic engineering, and biotechnology. Students with family backgrounds in research or defense industries may also face stricter scrutiny.
Recommendations and Outlook
Liu advised students and parents to consider alternative plans, such as preparing for a gap year or exploring countries with more stable visa policies, in case their U.S. studies are delayed or blocked.
Experts say future Chinese student enrollment in the U.S. will be influenced by complex factors including visa policies, international relations, and comparative quality of education systems.
“If the U.S. maintains strict visa controls, the current trend of declining enrollments will likely continue, with students opting for non-sensitive majors and becoming more selective,” Liu said.
He added that improvements in global education systems and policies in other countries aimed at attracting international students could further shift Chinese students away from the U.S., even if visa restrictions ease.
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