New visa rules: US government wants to withdraw Chinese students Visa

The US government wants to withdraw the visa in the United States and tighten the rules for future applicants from the People’s Republic. It was initially unclear how many students would be affected by the withdrawal of the residence permit – and to what extent there could be exceptional rules. Foreign Minister Marco Rubio just said that his authority would work with the Ministry of Homeland, “to appreciate Chinese students, including those with connections to the Communist Party or in Critical Studies”.

In addition, according to the short message from two sentences, the visa criteria for all applicants from China and Hong Kong will be revised, which will be subjected to a sharper test in the future. At the same time, Rubio also expressed – even more tightly – on the platform X.

Tension -charged bilateral relationships

The already significant tensions between China and the United States have tightened again in January since the new US President Donald Trump took place. The two largest economies struggle for influence on political, economic and military level – and currently have an aggressive trade dispute, the consequences of which burden the global economy.

According to the Institute of International Education (IIe), around 277,000 Chinese students were enrolled at US universities in the academic year 2023/2024. China thus put the second largest group of international students to India. Foreign students are an important source of income for many US universities-they usually pay significantly higher tuition fees than local students.

Harder line also with other nationalities

US media had recently reported that the US government wants to check prospective foreign students and participants from exchange programs more in the future. The Foreign Ministry had instructed US messages and consulates worldwide not to award new appointments for corresponding visa applications for the time being, it was said, citing an internal letter. Appointments already agreed should remain.

According to the reports, Visa of Categories F, M and J-they apply to students, exchange students, interns and au pairs. In the coming days there should be further instructions, the media quote from the document. The background to the planned measure is an expansion of reviewing social media activities by VISA applicants.