Despite Trump’s visa crackdown, Chinese students vie for US university spots

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US-China relations
EconomyGlobal Economy
US universities report more Chinese applicants despite visa crackdown

Survey finds that 65 per cent of higher-education institutions have seen increases or no drop-off in number of applications from China

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Ralph Jenningsin Portland, Oregon
Published: 9:00pm, 7 Aug 2026

With some US universities kicking off their academic year this month and Chinese students subject to increased scrutiny from Washington amid heated geopolitical rivalry, many institutions were concerned they would receive fewer applications from China, a prized ion budgets

But a report issued by the Institute of International Education – a Washington-based non-profit organisation – last month said 65 per cent of American higher-education institutions had reported increases or “stability” in the number of applications from China compared with the previous academic year

Based on a survey of 585 universities and colleges in May and June, the report found that 59 per cent said they had seen declines in total international applicants, while 14 per cent reported increases

The survey found the “most pronounced decreases” were for India – the United States’ largest cent of institutions indicating stable or increased application numbers from that country

US President Donald Trump has targeted Chinese students over purported ties to the ruling Communist Party and to stop any transfer of sensitive US data

But he has also said foreign students brought “trillions of dollars” to the US economy, halving their number would destroy “the entire university and college system”, and he would allow 600,000 Chinese students to enter the US – roughly double the current figure.
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Source: www.scmp.com