Lori Meadows
The number of international students in the US has been steadily increasing over the years, with nearly 1.1 million students from abroad enrolling in universities across the country in 2020. However, the COVID-19 pandemic and the shift to online classes created a unique set of challenges for international students, with new rules stating that international students must take at least some of their classes in person. This led to a sharp decrease in international student enrollment, as many were forced to leave the country or transfer to schools offering in-person instruction. In addition, the US government's crackdown on visa regulations, including social media vetting and warnings against skipping classes or dropping out, has further complicated the situation for international students. Despite these challenges, international students, particularly from India and China, continue to play a significant role in filling the gaps left by the decline in domestic applications in US business schools.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of international students in the US | Nearly 1.1 million |
| Number of foreign students who received student visas in the 12-month period ending September 30, 2019 | 400,000 |
| Percentage decrease in foreign students receiving visas in 2019 compared to 4 years prior | 40% |
| Number of international students from India in 2024 | 331,000 |
| Number of international students in Duke Fuqua's MBA Class of 2023 | 47% |
| Number of international students in the US from India and China | Large numbers |
| Visa requirements for international students | Must take some classes in person |
| Visa revocation | If students drop out, skip classes, or leave their program of study without informing their school |
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What You'll Learn
- International students may have their visas revoked if they skip classes
- International students are charged higher fees than domestic students
- International students are required to take some classes in person
- International students may be deported if they remain in the US beyond their authorised period of stay
- International students are filling the gaps in US business schools
International students may have their visas revoked if they skip classes
International students in the US have faced a number of challenges in recent years, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic and amidst tightening immigration rules under the Trump administration. In 2020, international students were forced to leave the country or transfer to a school with in-person instruction if their college moved classes online due to the pandemic. This created an urgent problem for thousands of international students, many of whom were trapped in the US.
In May 2025, the US government announced that foreign students could have their visas revoked if they skip classes or leave their programs without informing campus authorities. The US Embassy in India released a statement warning students that dropping out, skipping classes, or leaving their program of study without informing their school could result in their student visa being revoked and a loss of eligibility for future US visas. This announcement came amid a broader crackdown on international students, with reports of visas being revoked without prior notice for various reasons, including pro-Palestine protests and traffic violations.
The US administration has also been considering requiring all foreign students to undergo social media vetting as part of their visa application process. This would involve screening the social media platforms and identifiers of student applicants, particularly those critical of the US and its allies. As a result of these new checks and requirements, the processing of student visas has slowed down, creating additional challenges for Indian students and other international students seeking to study in the US.
It is important to note that the US government's actions have faced criticism. Some have argued that the rules regarding online classes during the pandemic put the health and well-being of international students at risk, with Senator Bernie Sanders describing the guidance as "cruel". Similarly, the American Council on Education called the guidelines "horrifying". The visa revocations and potential revocations for minor infractions have also caused widespread confusion, with students and universities sometimes unaware of the changes until after they take effect.
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International students are charged higher fees than domestic students
The higher fees paid by international students have become increasingly important for US colleges and universities as they have experienced a drop in domestic applications. This decline in domestic applications has been consistently filled by international applications, predominantly from India and China. For example, Duke Fuqua's MBA Class of 2023 was made up of 47% international students. The flexible academic environment, support for international students, and vibrant culture are among the top attractions of studying in the US for international students.
However, the higher fees charged to international students have also led to concerns about the financial burden on these students. The Trump administration's pandemic-related policies in 2020, which required international students to take in-person classes or leave the country, caused sharp criticism. This rule particularly affected international students as many became trapped in the US when their schools moved classes online due to COVID-19.
The US government has also been criticized for its strict visa policies for international students. In 2025, the US government warned that Indian and other foreign students who dropped out, skipped classes, or left their programs without informing their schools could have their visas revoked and lose eligibility for future US visas. This warning came amid a crackdown on international students, with visas being revoked without prior notice for various reasons, including pro-Palestine protests and traffic violations.
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International students are required to take some classes in person
The rules apply to students on F-1 visas, who can take online courses in specific academic programs or online summer courses. However, the program must not be fully online. This means that any online course offerings must be part of a hybrid program, with some classes online and others in person. To maintain their F-1 visa status, international students can take a maximum of one class or three credit hours online and must physically attend the rest of their program's classes on campus.
International students must receive certification from the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) to take a hybrid course. The university will issue Form I-20, the Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status, to ensure students are eligible and have not enrolled in courses that are 100% online. This form of blended learning offers students the convenience of learning from any location with an internet connection, while also providing the benefits of in-person teaching.
The rules have been criticized for putting the health and well-being of international students and the wider higher education community at risk. It has also been noted that many colleges and universities in the US depend heavily on tuition payments from international students, who often pay higher rates.
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International students may be deported if they remain in the US beyond their authorised period of stay
International students in the US have faced the threat of deportation in recent years, with policies and guidelines changing during the Trump administration and the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2020, during the pandemic, new rules were introduced by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) stating that international students must take at least some of their classes in person. This meant that new visas would not be given to students at schools offering fully online courses. Even at colleges offering a mix of in-person and online classes, international students were barred from taking all classes online. This caused an urgent problem for thousands of international students, especially those who were trapped in the US when their schools moved classes online due to COVID-19. The American Council on Education described these guidelines as "horrifying".
The Trump administration also intensified its crackdown on international students by revoking visas without prior notice. In 2025, the US warned Indian and other foreign students that skipping classes or leaving their programs could result in losing their visas or becoming ineligible for future US visas. The US Embassy in India stated that students must "always adhere to the terms of their visa and maintain their student status to avoid any issues". The reasons for visa revocation have varied, including pro-Palestine protests and traffic violations, causing confusion for students and universities.
In 2025, the US administration also considered requiring all foreign students to undergo social media vetting as part of their visa application process, which would be a significant expansion of previous efforts.
Additionally, during the Trump administration, there was a push to accelerate deportations and minimize due process. This included allowing for third-country deportations, where individuals are deported to a country other than their country of origin. This strategy has been criticized as "intentionally punitive", and it has been argued that it puts individuals at risk by sending them to politically unstable countries.
The threat of deportation has caused panic among international students, with some choosing to leave the country to avoid the risk of detention or deportation. Others have appealed terminations and remained in the US while those are processed, finding themselves in legal limbo. The changing policies and visa cancellations have also created confusion and uncertainty for international students, with many seeking advice and assistance from immigration attorneys.
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International students are filling the gaps in US business schools
International students have long been attracted to US business schools, which have built up billions in endowments. However, US immigration policies and visa requirements have made it challenging for international students to pursue their studies in the country. The COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated these difficulties, with new rules requiring international students to take at least some of their classes in person.
Despite these challenges, international students continue to play a crucial role in filling the gaps left by declining domestic applications to US business schools. While top business schools in the US have experienced double-digit declines in applications from domestic students, they continue to receive high numbers of international applications, mainly from China and India. This trend is evident at schools like Duke Fuqua, where international students make up a significant proportion of the student body.
International students currently make up 5% of the 20 million college students in the US and contribute over $35 billion in revenue to higher education. At top-tier business schools, the percentage of international students is even higher, with 32% at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School, 35% at Harvard Business School, and 40% at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. International students also tend to pay higher tuition fees than their domestic counterparts, which has been a significant source of revenue for US business schools.
However, the reliance on international students to fill gaps in US business schools may be shifting. The price discrimination model, where international students pay higher tuition, is predicted to falter, leading to flatter pricing and lower annual tuition increases. Additionally, US business schools are facing increased competition from schools outside the country, providing more options for international students.
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Frequently asked questions
International students in the US who drop their classes or skip classes risk losing their visas and becoming ineligible for future US visas.
International students contribute significantly to the revenue of US universities, as they typically pay higher tuition rates. Therefore, a sharp decrease in international student enrollment could be disastrous for some universities.
International students may drop their classes due to various reasons, such as visa processing delays, online classes during the COVID-19 pandemic, and personal or academic challenges.
