Student perceptions of USA strong, but looming travel ban would impact

A survey of 1,015 prospective and US-applied students by global higher education-focused agency group IDP Education , conducted in February, showed that perceptions of the USA as a study destination had improved so far since the presidential election in the face of continuing restrictions on student visas in rival destinations such as Canada and Australia.

Student survey results: In the survey, 52 per cent of respondents said that perceptions of the USA had improved since November, while 26 per cent said that their view had declined.

“In recent IDP Education research we have seen evidence that the USA is benefiting from evolving policy environments in other leading markets like the UK and Australia,” said Simon Emmett, Chief Partner Officer at IDP .

Almost half of the students surveyed (47 per cent) said they were more likely to study in the USA since November, with 27 per cent saying they were less likely.

“As other markets become more unpredictable, international students are more willing to invest in the high quality and reputable education available in the US. Given this, there’s an opportunity for the US international education community to come together and highlight the wealth of opportunities available to students in the market.”

In the last Emerging Futures report by IDP released in October, based on the responses of 6,171 international students, the USA was the second-most preferred destination – it’s highest ever placing in the research. The USA had the strongest perceptions among the English-speaking higher education destinations for quality of education, value for money and graduate employment opportunities.

However, in the latest research there was significant variance by market, IDP said, with only 27 per cent of Chinese students indicating an improved perception of the USA since the election.

“International students have very different motivations, ambitions and concerns when it comes to studying abroad. The findings remind us that there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ message for international students across the globe,” Simon said.

Travel ban impact: However, the implementation of a travel ban on certain countries would damage the standing of the USA as a study destination, IDP found, with two-thirds of respondents indicating that their perception would slightly or significantly worsen if it is introduced.

Thirteen per cent of students said they would no longer consider studying in the USA if a travel ban was introduced, while a further 40 per cent said they would need to reconsider their options.

During his first administration, President Trump issued a sudden order banning all travel from certain countries including Iran, Iraq and Libya, although after legal challenges and revisions F-1 visa students were in most cases still allowed to enter the USA. President Biden rescinded the travel ban in 2021 as one of his first actions in office.

The US government is considering travel bans on certain countries.

In an executive order on the first day of his latest administration in January, President Trump requested a report within 60 days from relevant departments “identifying countries throughout the world for which vetting and screening information is so deficient as to warrant a partial or full suspension on the admission of nationals”.

It also required a report on how many nationals have been admitted from those countries since January 20th, 2021, and whether any information would support their removal.

Travel bans under consideration: The New York Times and Reuters have claimed that a shortlist of 41 countries is currently being considered for travel bans, based on an internal government memo.

The outlets said that a group of 10 countries, including Afghanistan, Iran, Syria, Cuba and North Korea, are being considered for full suspension of entry to the USA.

A further group of five counties – Eritrea, Haiti, Laos, Myanmar and South Sudan – are being lined up for partial suspensions that will impact on non-immigrant visas, including visitor and student visas, they said.

Meanwhile, a further 26 countries, including Belarus, Pakistan and Turkmenistan, will be considered for suspensions if their governments do not address issues within 60 days, the memo said, according to Reuters.

The outlet quoted a US official as saying that there could still be changes to the plans and that nothing has yet been approved by the administration.

By far the largest source markets among those mentioned in the memo are Iran, which had 12,430 students enrolled at US higher education institutions in 2023/24, up by 15 per cent over the previous year, and Pakistan, which had 10,988 students, an 8.1 per cent increase.

In a briefing paper published recently, the British Council highlighted that the number of international students in the USA decreased by around 50,000 during the first Trump presidency.

The organization suggested that with continuing restrictions in Australia and Canada and anticipated changes to policy in the USA, there could be a positive impact for the UK. The most recent Home Office data has indicated a slight recovery in student visa applications and grants towards the end of last year.

Maddalaine Ansell, Director Education at the British Council, said, “At a time of increased competition for international students, it is crucial that the UK does everything it can to maintain its position as a global leader in higher education. While our English-speaking competitors might be experiencing challenges, we must not grow complacent.”