How the US Maintains its Position as a Top Study Destination

The US has always been one of the most preferred destinations for immigrants, including tourists, students and those looking for permanent residency. The US in return has made every possible effort to provide the smoothest transition for all these aspiring immigrants. The result of these benevolent gestures is that there has been a consistent increase in the number of immigrants. Increased demand poses new challenges generating the need for new measures. 

The US has recently opened an additional 250,000 visa appointments for Indian travellers, including tourists, skilled workers, and students. The new slots will help Indians in appearing for interviews faster. In a time when countries are pruning immigration numbers to maintain the quality of life for everyone, additional visa appointments by the US strengthen its ties with India. It highlights the importance of cross-country travel for people, acting as a backbone of any personal and professional relationship.

The US Increasing Its Appeal to International Students

More than 1.2 million, a record number, Indians travelled to the United States in 2024, 35 per cent more over the same period in 2023. A total of 1.4 lakh student visas were issued by the US to Indians in 2023. This is more than in any other country in the world. The US has received more than one million nonimmigrant visa applications from India for the second consecutive year. The US has five consular sections across India and a record number of student visa applications were processed this summer. The efficiency of the work is such that all the first-time applicants were able to book an appointment.

One major concern for study visa applicants and the US was the long wait time. The wait time for the US visitor visa had reached three years at the end of 2021, however, thanks to government efforts it has now been reduced to over a year. India and the US discussed long wait times and limited direct flight options as key challenges during a recent hospitality summit. 

Countries like the US which has dominated the education export sector also feel the need to stay competitive. Allocating new slots is an effort in this direction. Reducing the wait time for visa applicants will further increase the appeal of the US.

Becoming More Appealing for International Students

Every country, including Canada, Australia, the UK, and the US are making efforts to overcome the challenges. They face in providing the best learning environment for international students. As the US is rolling out more appointment slots. Some countries are holding tight on student numbers to maintain their education and living standards.

In this light, we take a brief look at how countries can be more appealing to international students or what makes the top study destinations so attractive.

One of the first things that students look for is the number of top-ranked universities a country has and the ranking of institutions they want to enrol in. The US and the UK universities feature consistently among the top in global rankings such as the QS World Universities ranking or the Times world rankings. Since students spend almost a fortune in international education they want the best education for themselves. Moreover, at this time when developed economies prefer to have more tech-savvy professionals. It makes sense to pick a country with the most university rankings. It shows the country has the best infrastructure for higher education.

Ease of living and cultural diversity are also important determinants in increasing the appeal of a country for international students. The US and the UK have one of the most culturally diverse environments and this adds to the appeal of their top-ranked universities. The fact that a country has a good percentage of people from many countries shows its appreciation for different cultures. Ready cultural acceptance and top-quality education are the primary determinants for most students looking to study overseas.

Ease of settling abroad is another factor considered by many students. Canada and Australia score more in this factor. Students who ultimately want to settle down permanently in a developed country prefer to move to these countries. Moreover, expenditure on education in Canada and Australia is comparatively less than in the UK and the US. Students who are looking for the best value for their money pick Canada or Australia as their study destination. 

The relationship between international students and countries exporting education is a lasting one. There are multiple combinations of why a student will pick a particular country and university,  and how a country can edge out competition and attract the maximum number of students. If you as a student are juggling between different options, seek advice from overseas education consultants in Chandigarh to make better decisions.

The Way Ahead

Major economies like Canada and the US want as many international students as possible. However, infrastructure and other challenges limit this desire.  New policies and developments are being made to overcome these barriers. These changes are intended to create a more favourable environment for international students and should not discourage them from pursuing their studies.

(Written By ESS Global)

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