Consular visa refusals and uncompetitive immigration policies in the United States have contributed to a decline in international students attending American universities. From the 2016/17 to 2020/21 academic years, the number of international students in the U.S. decreased by 15%, while in Canada it increased by 46%, with Indian students significantly contributing to the rise. In Canada, international students find a smoother transition to temporary work and permanent residence, while in the U.S., the H-1B visa program and employment-based green cards for Indian nationals have faced challenges. In 2022, 35% of F-1 student visa applications were denied in the U.S., with high denial rates for African students, which is seen as a loss for the country in influencing future leaders in Africa. Additionally, fewer Chinese students are coming to the U.S., partially due to visa denials based on their universities in China.
