UK, EUROPE, CANADA AND AUSTRALIA US visa crackdown forces students to rethink options

Lengthy visa waits and toughened immigration rules under the Trump administration are pushing some UAE students to abandon the US as their top destination for universities. This is shaking up traditional education pathways and fuelling demand for alternatives closer to home.

- BY ASHWANI KUMAR

Lisa Johnson, Principal of the American Academy for Girls in Dubai, confirmed a “noticeable shift” in student preferences.

“The UK and Europe continue to offer globally recognised institutions and clearer student visa pathways,” she said. “Canada is highly appealing due to its welcoming immigration policies and post-graduation work opportunities. Australia has recently regained popularity post-Covid due to favourable visa policies and high-quality education.”