Original Source
US Visa Clampdown Affects Mainland Chinese, Hong Kong Student Numbers
US Visa Restrictions Lead to Decline in Student Numbers
Last May, a US clampdown on student visas for mainland Chinese and Hong Kong students resulted in significant year-on-year declines. The number of permits granted to mainland Chinese students decreased by 42%, while those for Hong Kong students fell by 35%. These reductions appear to be linked to the US government's strengthened policy towards China.
Short-Lived Impact and Shifting Study Paths
Despite the visa restrictions, a consultant suggested that the impact would be short-lived. An example cited was a mainland PhD student who, due to actions by then-US President Donald Trump, gave up an offer to study at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and enrolled at the University of Hong Kong (HKU) instead. This indicates a potential shift in some study abroad demand from the US to other regions like Hong Kong.
*Source: SCMP (2026-04-06)*
