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AAI Releases Study on Impact of New Student Visa Regulations

Posted on Monday November 25, 2002

Washington, D.C.—The Arab American Institute (AAI) today released a study demonstrating the negative impact of new federal student visa regulations on international students and the American higher education system. AAI was prompted to take on this work by the dozens of messages it received from Arab students experiencing long delays or outright denials in the processing of their student visas. The study surveyed Arab embassies in the United States and Arab companies that provide U.S. scholarships and training for students. It explores the impact of the September 11th attacks on students who were studying in the United States at the time as well as the effects of new INS visa procedures on Arab students.

The study shows a significant decline in U.S. enrollment from many Arab countries and also shows that a large number of students have had their academic schedule effected by visa delays. Qatar, Oman, Sudan, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have experienced the sharpest declines in U.S. enrollment. Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Kuwait reported the largest numbers of students whose academic year has been effected by visa delays.

AAI’s findings mirror those of similar studies conducted by such groups as the Institute for International Education (IIE) and National Association of Foreign Student Advisors: Association of International Educators (NASFA). These studies found that students from Arab countries experienced a disproportionately high number of delays and denials, and that students from other countries, particularly China and India, have also experienced problems due to the new visa regulations.

Consequently, international students are beginning to look elsewhere to study. Some countries, such as Australia, are actively recruiting these students to study in their universities. Jean AbiNader, Managing Director of AAI, who led the study, remarked that “If the United States continues its current policy, we are at risk of losing international students to other countries. We must recognize that these students are the leaders of tomorrow, and it is in our own best interest to make the United States an attractive destination for them. Foreign students are the conduits by which we communicate ourselves to the rest of the world. They should be encouraged to study in the United States. The September 11th attacks demonstrated only too well the consequences of cultures failing to communicate.”

While AAI supports the government’s efforts to protect the United States from a future terrorist attack, we believe that a more expeditious system should be implemented. This system should balance the requirements of heightened security with the time constraints and special needs of international students.