作者 | 第一财经 冯迪 凡在特朗普政府推行的限制性签证政策下，包括印度学生在内的签证数量均急剧下降。 近期，美国国家旅游局发布的初步数据显示，今年8月，持学生签证抵达美国的国际学生人数同比下降19.1%。 印度学生是美国最大的外国学生来源国。8月，由于美国收紧对外国学生的政策，印度学生签证数量较去年同期下降了44.5%。据媒体报道，其主要原因 是签证处理的延误。 此前在9月30日，美国国会参议院未能通过共和党的政府拨款法案，白宫随后正式宣布政府"关门"。根据美国驻华大使馆在其微信公众号发布的声明，"目 前，美国境内以及海外的美国使领馆的预定护照和签证服务在拨款问题未决期间，将在允许的情况下继续提供。" 不过需要解释的是，这些数字并不代表就读美国大学的外国学生总数，其中许多人仍然持有之前签发的签证。 来源：新华社 8月开学季外国学生同比下降 8月份通常是美国大学开学的月份。美国国家旅游局发布的初步数据显示，今年8月美方签发了313138份学生签证。 这意味着，伴随美国各大高校步入新学年，31.3万多名学生签证持有者进入美国，低于2024年8月的近38.7万人。 从地区来看，8月来自非洲的留学生人数降幅最大，同 ...

Group 1: Visa Policy Changes - The new visa fee of $250 will take effect on October 1, raising the total visa cost to approximately $450, an increase of over 135%, making it one of the highest in the world [2][4] - The additional "visa integrity fee" applies to various non-immigrant visa categories, including tourism, business, and study [2][4] - Recent tightening of visa policies includes a proposal to shorten visa durations for students and cultural exchange visitors, and a pilot program requiring up to $15,000 in security deposits for certain visa holders [4][5] Group 2: Impact on Tourism Industry - The tightening of visa policies is expected to reduce the number of international visitors to the U.S., which could significantly impact the tourism industry [5][9] - The U.S. tourism sector is projected to lose $12.5 billion due to the decrease in international visitors [9][10] - In July, the number of international visitors to the U.S. decreased by 3.1% year-on-year, marking the fifth consecutive month of decline [9] Group 3: Economic Implications - The reduction in international tourists is likely to negatively affect various economic sectors, including housing rentals, consumer spending, and investments [10][11] - Las Vegas saw an 8% decline in overall tourist numbers from January to July, with international visitors dropping by 13% [10] - The tourism industry's contribution to the U.S. GDP is around 2%-3%, which, while not high compared to other countries, still plays a crucial role in the overall economy [10][11] Group 4: Broader Effects on International Relations - The decline in tourism may hinder cultural and commercial exchanges between the U.S. and other countries, impacting diplomatic relations [11] - The tightening of immigration policies has led to staff shortages in hotels and restaurants, potentially degrading service quality [11]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the increasing uncertainty and challenges faced by Chinese students planning to study in the United States, driven by changing U.S. immigration policies and rising costs of education, leading to a decline in the number of Chinese students studying in the U.S. and a shift in their preferences towards other countries [1][2][3]. Group 1: U.S. Immigration Policies and Their Impact - In May 2025, the Trump administration considered requiring international students to undergo social media scrutiny, leading to a suspension of visa interviews for students [1][4]. - The announcement of a ban on Harvard University recruiting international students and subsequent entry restrictions for foreign citizens studying there created significant anxiety among current and prospective students [4][5]. - A temporary restraining order from a federal judge halted the enforcement of the entry ban, but the uncertainty surrounding U.S. immigration policies continues to affect international students [5][6]. Group 2: Decline in Chinese Students and Rising Costs - The number of Chinese students studying in the U.S. has dropped to levels not seen in a decade, with a decrease of 95,000 students from the peak in the 2019/2020 academic year [7][10]. - The average annual expenditure for Chinese students in the U.S. has surged to $52,000, reflecting a $10,000 increase compared to previous years [7][10]. - The tightening of U.S. visa policies has resulted in a significant rise in the visa rejection rate for international students, reaching 36% in 2023, compared to 15% in 2015 [10][13]. Group 3: Changing Preferences Among Students - A survey indicated a growing concern among families regarding studying in the U.S., with the percentage of families reconsidering their plans rising from 18% to 51.9% within six months [20][21]. - Many families are now considering multiple options for studying abroad, with countries like the UK, Canada, and Australia becoming increasingly attractive alternatives due to perceived safety and cost advantages [21][23]. - Despite the challenges, the number of applications from Chinese students to U.S. universities showed a slight increase in early 2025, although the overall sentiment remains cautious due to ongoing policy uncertainties [18][19]. Group 4: Evaluation of Study Abroad Destinations - The Chinese Ministry of Education's report indicates a diversification in popular study destinations, with the U.S. dropping out of the top three most favored countries for study abroad, although it still hosts the largest number of Chinese students [23][24]. - The report ranked various countries based on quality, safety, and cost, placing the U.S. fourth overall, highlighting the competitive landscape for international education [24].