Malaysian student arrivals in the United States have dropped by 7% from January to April – the biggest decline among Asean countries – amid policy uncertainty, rising costs and changing preferences. The numbers remain below pre-pandemic levels as more students explore alternative or shorter, cost-effective study options.
Malaysian student arrivals in the United States have declined this year amid ongoing uncertainties surrounding US foreign student policies.
According to figures from the US National Travel and Tourism Office website, the number of Malaysians arriving in the United States on student visas from January to April this year dropped by 7% to 1,754 compared to 1,887 in the same period last year.
Education consultants said the uncertainties – coupled with rising costs due a stronger US dollar and shifting student preferences – are contributing to the decline.
These factors, they note, have prompted some students to explore alternative destinations or opt for study programmes that involve shorter stays in the United States.
Malaysia’s 7% drop is the largest among Asean countries.
Thailand had the second biggest decline at -3.1%, followed by Indonesia at -2.3%.
All Asean countries recorded a drop in student arrivals to the United States from January to April this year, except for Vietnam, which saw a 21% increase.
Vietnam sent 25,206 students to the United States last year, the biggest number among Asean countries.
Singapore was second (9,639) followed by Thailand (7,081).
Amid policy changes introduced during the Trump administration, some Malaysian students are reconsidering their plans to pursue higher education in the United States.
Concerns intensified following reports that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had instructed embassies to suspend the scheduling of student visa interviews – part of a broader push by the administration to expand social media screening for visa applicants.
On June 6, the US State Department reportedly instructed consulates worldwide to resume processing visa applications for international students admitted to Harvard University, reversing earlier guidance to reject such requests.
The figures from the US National Travel and Tourism Office, which go back to 2015, show that about 8,000 Malaysians arrived in the United States on student visas each year.
The Covid-19 pandemic led to a drop to below 3,000 student arrivals in 2020.
The figures have been increasing each year since, but have still not fully recovered to pre-pandemic levels, with 5,223 Malaysian student arrivals recorded last year.
When contacted, the US Embassy in Kuala Lumpur said it had no further remarks to add to earlier comments it had issued.
On June 3, the embassy had assured Malaysian students that applications for study in the United States remain open as usual, with no cancellations to previously scheduled visa appointments.
Higher education consultant Joey Ban said current political developments in the United States had contributed to the decline.
“When Trump took office in 2017, he implemented policies that were seen as rather unfriendly to international students,” said Ban, Principal Consultant at Edu Experts.
“The international student community anticipated similar or stricter policies this time around and shifted their focus to other destinations.”
She said the cost of higher education in the United States is a deterrent due to the strengthening US dollar.
“Few families have the financial capacity to support their children through a four-year bachelor’s degree programme in the United States.
“The duration to obtain a similar degree in the United Kingdom or Australia is also shorter.
“We also have quality options in Malaysia at a much lower cost. Interest is also gaining to study in China and South Korea,” she said.
Ng Yih Chen, president of the American Universities Alumni of Malaysia, said the drop in numbers is part of a long-term trend dating back to the Asian financial crisis in 1997.
“In the 1980s, there were over 10,000 Malaysian students in the United States, but since the mid1980s, even state-owned universities, which are more affordable, raised their tuition fees which have now doubled,” he said.
Ng said skewed negative portrayals of the United States on social media have further discouraged parents from sending their children there.
He added that continued uncertainty around US immigration and education policy had prompted many students to adopt a “wait-and-see” approach.
Doreen John, Head of Partnerships and Student Engagement at Sunway University’s School of American Education, said fluctuations in enrolment are normal and often influenced by currency exchange rates, safety concerns and policy changes.
She said increased competition from other countries and enhanced local education offerings have also shifted student preferences.
However, John added that US universities continue to hold strong appeal.
“The universities still welcome international students and have excellent systems, services and facilities to help them thrive,” she said.
