The United States (US), one of the most popular destinations for international students, is facing a decline in international student enrolments as the Trump administration intensifies its crackdown on Chinese student visas. This move has attracted global backlash, sparked dismay in the international education sector, and accelerated a shift toward alternative study destinations like the United Kingdom (UK), Australia, and parts of Europe.
Increased Scrutiny of Student Visa Applications
On 28 May 2025, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the US would “aggressively revoke” the visas of Chinese students with alleged ties to the Chinese Communist Party or those studying in unspecified “critical fields”. This announcement was followed a broader pause on international student visa appointments at embassies worldwide and plans to expand social media screening as part of student visa applications.
Approximately 277,398 Chinese students were studying in the US during the 2023-2024 academic year, accounting for nearly 25% of all international students and contributing more than $11 billion annually to the American economy.
Impact on US Higher Education Institutions
For US universities, the implications are significant. Many institutions depend on international enrolments for financial stability and global reputation. According to NAFSA: Association of International Educators, international students contributed $43.8 billion to the U.S. economy and supported over 378,000 jobs during the 2023–2024 academic year. Chinese students alone account for more than a quarter of this economic impact.
Students Turn to Alternative Destinations
However, the US also stands to lose students from other sending markets. As the US clamps down on international education, students disillusioned by perceptions of political instability, visa uncertainty and safety concerns are redirecting their attention toward other study abroad destinations.
According to new data from study choice platform StudyPortals, global interest in US degrees has fallen to levels not seen since the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Pageviews on StudyPortals for US programs dropped by 50% between January and April 2025, and the country has lost 30% of its international education market share in terms of future international student interest during that period. StudyPortals notes that “compared to when the US market share was at its height in 2023, the market share is now almost 50% lower.”
The UK is emerging as the primary beneficiary of the shift away from the US. According to StudyPortals, nearly 1 in 10 students browsing US degrees on StudyPortals now look at programmes from the UK in the same session – up from 8.5% a year earlier.
Susan Fang, CEO of UK-based OxBridge Holdings, told The Pie News that she predicts a longer-term shift in interest towards the UK. “Chinese students are already turning their backs on the US. Quietly. Deliberately. Visa uncertainty, anti-China rhetoric, safety concern – it’s all adding up,” she said. The UK “can offer something they increasingly want: stability, safety, and an education that still commands global respect”.
European and Asian Destinations on the Rise
Students are also exploring options in Spain, Ireland, Australia, Germany, New Zealand and Switzerland according to StudyPortals. A survey from Keystone Education Group also highlights that 42% of prospective international students are now less inclined to pursue higher education in the US. Student interest in Sweden (+37%), Finland (+36%), Singapore (+30%), New Zealand (+29%), Czechia (+28%), and Spain (+19%) is also rising according to Keystone Group data.
Spike in American Students Looking to Study Abroad
It is not only international students shifting their focus from the US to other destinations; US students are also increasingly seeking to study abroad.
European countries like Ireland and Switzerland are attracting increased interest from American students. StudyPortals data highlights that interest from US students in domestic degree programs dropped by 20.5% in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the previous year. During that same period, Ireland saw a 63% spike in interest from US students, while Sweden, Spain, and Switzerland attracted 25–30% increases.