Barriers grow for international students seeking U.S. jobs: The 'American dream ... is collapsing'
The U.S. has seen a significant decline in the issuance of F-1 visas for international students, with a 36% drop for the 2025-26 academic year. This reduction raises concerns about the future of international scholars in the U.S. and the potential economic consequences, particularly in STEM fields, where a decrease in graduates could lead to substantial GDP losses.
- ▪The U.S. issued 97,000 fewer F-1 visas for the 2025-26 academic year compared to the previous year, marking a 36% decline.
- ▪Former international students have founded one-quarter of U.S. startups valued at $1 billion or more.
- ▪A one-third reduction in international STEM graduates could result in annual GDP losses of $240 billion to $481 billion over the next decade.
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The U.S. issued 97,000 fewer F-1 visas to international students to study full-time in the U.S. for the 2025-26 academic year than for the previous year, a 36% drop, according to an analysis of U.S. Department of State data by The Chronicle of Higher Education.The growing obstacles could have long-term impacts on incoming scholars, Ford says: "There are students concerned about whether the U.S. is a place where they can build their careers."The loss of international grads in the U.S. could also have broader economic consequences. Former international students from American universities have gone on to found one-quarter of U.S. startups valued at $1 billion or more, according to a 2022 analysis from nonprofit NAFSA: Association of International Educators.
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