Study-Abroad Startups Face Testing Times

With popular foreign-study destinations tightening visa rules for students, the industry has been hit hard

- Samiksha Goel

Samarth G.S., 25, hasn't been to his hometown, in Karnataka, in nearly two years. But not for the usual reasons. Last year, he stayed back in the US to look for an internship. This year, even though he has one, he's hesitating because of tightening visa regulations.

"The situation is dicey here," said Amarth, who is studying for a master's degree. With only a brief window between the end of his internship and the start of the next academic term, he's worried that even a slight delay in returning could put his visa at risk. "Even if I come back a day late, they might use it as an excuse to cancel my visa," he said, referring to US President Donald Trump's regime.

Even when they are traveling within the US, universities are advising international students to carry their passports at all times.

Since Trump returned to power, the US's immigration policies have become draconian. On May 27, the administration ordered US embassies around the world to stop scheduling appointments for student visas. It even halted Harvard University's ability to enroll foreign students. Amid all this, several international students have faced deportation for minor infractions.

While much of the attention around US visa restrictions has focused on students, the Big Brother approach in the US has made another group, India's study-abroad startups, anxious. Companies such as Leap Scholar, Leverage Edu, AdmitKard, and upGrad, which promise smooth overseas admissions and counseling services, are now facing business uncertainty. Because it is not just the US, but key markets such as Canada, the UK, and Australia as well that have tightened rules for international student admissions, according to industry insiders.

After the crash of mainstream edtech in India, the study-abroad industry had emerged as a bright spot. But populist politics across the globe threaten to shake the foundations of the business model. Can these startups weather the storm?