Issue Brief: Visa Uncertainty and Inaction Drives Declines in International Enrollment

June 8, 2021

New APS survey results reveal that more than two-thirds of the international, first-year physics PhD students who were slated to enroll in fall 2020 are still not on campus. The combination of travel restrictions and visa delays stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic—along with US visa and immigration policies that dissuade, rather than attract, international students—has created a significant hole in our nation’s STEM talent pipeline. Maintaining US competitiveness requires immediate action by the State Department to provide a clear timeline and guidance for international STEM graduate students currently waiting to obtain their visas to study in this country and Congress passing visa and immigration policies that will attract international talent.

Issue Brief cover PhD Student Visa Delay Survey May 2021