Key issues such as visa policies, immigration reforms, and shifting perceptions of the US as a study destination are under scrutiny. BusinessBecause spoke to experts to assess what international candidates and students might expect under a Trump administration.
OPT and work visas for graduates
For international students, the option to stay in the US after graduating via the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program is a major draw. It offers a critical bridge to longer-term visa options such as the H-1B, allowing students to gain work experience and contribute to the US economy.
Ben Waxman, CEO of International Education Advantage (Intead), is an expert in global student recruitment who advises and aids business schools with marketing strategies and brand building. He explains how the president-elect's OPT policies might impact enrollment in US institutions.
“If a [president] were to restrict OPT, I believe that would lead to a decrease in enrollment. Conversely, if they were to expand OPT—for example, currently, STEM graduates receive three years, while non-STEM graduates only get one year—then allowing all students three years would be significant and could result in considerable growth.”
Under Trump, the future of OPT and other immigration programs looks uncertain. Ben cautions that Trump’s restrictive immigration stance in his first term could provide a roadmap for what’s to come.
“During the previous Trump administration, policies like the Muslim ban and reduced visa appointments caused significant bottlenecks for international students,” Ben explains. “If the State Department were to pull all its staff and limit operations to just two hours a day, that would drastically slow the application process. With fewer visa appointments available, many students would struggle to complete their applications.”
The prospect of Trump implementing further restrictions on OPT—including potentially reducing the duration for STEM graduates or eliminating it for non-STEM fields—has created unease. Ben notes that such changes would lead to decreased international enrollment in US business schools.
However, despite his history Trump has (at least once) expressed a positive attitude to legal immigration, stating in the All-In podcast in June 2024: “You graduate from a college, I think you should get automatically as part of your diploma a green card to be able to stay in this country and that includes junior colleges too."
Domestic students may also be inclined to change their plans. Just the day after Trump's election victory, student data and insights company Studyportals said that US student searches for foreign degrees on its site jumped more than fivefold. It remains to see whether they will follow up on their search, however.
H-1B visas: The cap remains a challenge
H-1B visas, which allow US companies to employ skilled foreign workers, remain a cornerstone of post-graduation opportunities for international students. However, with an annual cap of 85,000 visas, demand far exceeds supply.
The previous Trump administration exacerbated this discrepancy with data from the US Department of Labor showing that the denial rate for H-1B visas rose from 6% in 2016 to 21% in 2019.
The 2024 fiscal year saw 781,000 initial H-1B visa applications, with only 24% selected for further processing. Ben emphasizes that tightening H-1B rules would exacerbate the tech industry’s existing talent shortage.
This cap already poses a challenge not only for international students but also for US employers who increasingly rely on this talent pool to fill crucial positions in engineering and computer science, and any further restrictions would significantly impact both parties.
Recent reports, including one funded by the Department of Defense, underscore the urgency of the situation, revealing that the tech industry is in dire need of more workers with expertise in these fields.
This demand highlights the vital role international students play in meeting the workforce needs of the tech sector.
Ben emphasizes the role that incomers contribute to the US economy and tech landscape: “Our tech industry needs more workers and by and large, Americans are not opting for those positions as much as international students are.”
The cost of uncertainty
The unpredictability of US immigration policies and the high cost of living are major concerns for international students. Andrew Crisp, co-founder of CarringtonCrisp, explains that the perception of the US as an expensive and uncertain destination is growing.
"Given the rising cost of living worldwide, the perception of studying in the US as an expensive option is significant. This concern intensifies for international students, especially when they feel uncertain about their ability to secure work opportunities post-graduation," Andrew explains.
A 2024 CarringtonCrisp survey found that 49% of students consider the US the most expensive study destination, with countries such as Germany emerging as cost-effective alternatives.
“German business schools, while newer, offer state-of-the-art facilities and affordable education. That’s an attractive proposition for students weighing their options,” Andrew notes.
Ben adds that Trump’s divisive rhetoric during the election eroded trust among international students. “Many view the US political landscape as chaotic. While elite schools like Harvard and Stanford retain their appeal, students applying elsewhere are reassessing the risks versus rewards.”
The role of Trump’s leadership in shaping policies
Trump’s approach to international students remains a wild card. Ben suggests that while Trump recognizes the revenue and innovation international students bring, his administration could still classify them as part of broader immigration restrictions.
“Will he open the floodgates for international students, or view them as just another group to restrict? It’s impossible to predict,” Ben says.
Looking ahead
With Trump’s return to power, international students may navigate a challenging landscape. Policies on visas, work opportunities, and immigration could shift, creating additional uncertainty for prospective candidates.
However, for many, the reputation of top-tier business schools and the renowned reputation of the US as a global hub for education and innovation remain compelling. Andrew concludes: “For those applying to elite schools, the opportunity to study in the US will still outweigh the risks. But for others, that calculation is changing.”
*Donald Trump main photograph taken from Flickr and is usable under this license.
