LONDON — Long wait times for U.S. visa interviews have led some students in China to abandon their plans to study in the United States. Meanwhile, universities in Hong Kong are receiving transfer requests from foreign students currently in the U.S., and international applications for undergraduate programs in the United Kingdom have seen a significant increase.

The Trump administration has implemented measures aimed at reducing the reliance of U.S. colleges on international students. This includes heightened scrutiny of foreign students and efforts to deport those involved in pro-Palestinian activism. Earlier this year, the government revoked the legal status of thousands of international students, including some who had minor legal issues. Following backlash, the administration paused new student visa appointments and began screening applicants' social media accounts.

Despite these challenges, the U.S. remains a top choice for many international students. However, the current situation has prompted students to explore other options. An analysis by NAFSA, an organization that promotes international education, suggests that new international enrollment in the U.S. could decline by 30% to 40% this fall. This drop could result in a loss of $7 billion in economic contributions to the U.S. Many international students pay full tuition, making their absence a financial blow to colleges.

The U.K. is poised to benefit from this shift. As the second most popular destination for international students, the U.K. has seen a 2.2% increase in international applications for undergraduate study this fall, following a decline last year. Notably, applications from China have surged by 10%, while applications from the U.S. have reached nearly 8,000, marking a 14% increase and the highest level in 20 years. Graduate program acceptances for international students in the U.K. have also risen by an estimated 10%, particularly in business and management fields.

Mike Henniger, CEO of Illume Student Advisory Services, noted, "The American brand has taken a massive hit, and the U.K. is the one that is benefiting."

In Asia, demand for university placements in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Malaysia is increasing. Will Kwong, managing director of AAS Education, reported that many Western universities have established offshore campuses in these regions, which are often more affordable than studying in the U.S. or U.K. He stated, "Opting for study in Asia has been a trend since the easing of COVID-19, but it has been exacerbated by the change of administration in the U.S."

Some families in Asia are reconsidering their options due to political instability and visa complications. Many are still waiting for U.S. visa interviews and may miss the start of the fall term. A Chinese student named Alisa, studying data science, plans to attend an exchange program at the University of California, Berkeley, but is also exploring other options in case of complications.

Hong Kong's leader, John Lee, has expressed a willingness to welcome students denied entry to the U.S. The city has allowed international students to work part-time, and Hong Kong University has received over 500 inquiries from students in the U.S., processing around 200 transfer applications. The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology reported a 40% increase in international undergraduate applications from last year.

Countries like the United Arab Emirates are also capitalizing on this upheaval by investing in international education. Dubai aims to become a global education hub, hosting numerous international institutions' satellite campuses. Lisa Johnson, principal of Dubai’s private American Academy for Girls, noted that more Emirati students are looking away from the U.S. for college options.

Kazakhstan is pursuing similar goals, with U.S. universities establishing campuses there to attract students from China and Russia. Daniel Palm, who assists U.S. universities in setting up abroad, remarked, "All of a sudden U.S. colleges are asking how to provide diversity, provide access, because you have students who want to come to the U.S. and can’t."