• An increase in visas issued demonstrates a boost in student interest in studying in the US. 

After over a year of closed borders, strict outdoor guidelines and online-only classes, students are raring to re-experience face-to-face classes, and more than that, to travel abroad to pursue their degrees. So, if you had trouble finding students to recruit in the past fiscal year, you can ease your worries this year: countless students are wanting to study in the US from all around the world, especially with the end of the pandemic in sight. 

The surge in visas issued shows not only a positive outcome for this fiscal year but also the potential to keep rising in the next few years. And with the Department of State’s annual report made public, more students will realise that now is a time to start applying to US institutions. 

That means you should be recruiting them now, too. 

• Higher approval rates reflect government efforts. 

The substantial increase in F-1 student visa approval rates – a 10% recovery from the previous year and the best-recorded rate in nine years – shows that the US government is dedicated to prioritising international education to maintain the US’ place as one of the top study destinations in the world. 

With the government now ready to offer much of its support to international students, it is ideal for bringing in more students to US campuses. as soon as possible. You can also offer your students greater reassurance that their visas will be approved if they decide to apply to US schools. 

• Data reveal massive opportunities in India. 

International student visas issued in the past three fiscal years increased drastically in India. To put this into better perspective, visas issued in India in FY2019, FY2020 and FY2021 were recorded to be 43,714, 15,323 and 80,451, respectively. 

Comparatively, visas issued in China in the same fiscal years totalled 105,775, 14,436 and 90,310, respectively. Note that China has been the US’ top source of international students for 12 consecutive years, so India catching up on the charts is a shift to look out for.