Dark clouds for Filipinos who want to study abroad

The internationalization of Philippine higher education institutions (HEIs) has been a major achievement of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) over the past decade.

President Bongbong Marcos has consistently praised CHED and cited data on the rising number of Philippine HEIs in international rankings in his SONA to demonstrate that his administration offers Filipinos opportunities to study at top-tier universities.

However, dark clouds loom over Filipinos planning to study abroad, as several countries have begun restricting the entry of international students to their universities. These restrictions will reduce foreign universities’ interest in partnering with Philippine institutions for student and faculty exchanges.

These developments may also dampen foreign universities’ commitment to collaborate with Philippine HEIs on internationalization.

I recently attended the “Trump and Higher Ed: Understanding the Latest” event organized by The Chronicle of Higher Education. American university officials expressed confusion about the new policies affecting international students, which have led to a significant drop in student enrollment. Many officials are worried that fewer students will not only reduce their revenue but also affect their research and facilities management.

The New York Times reports that the number of Asian students arriving in the US fell by 24 percent, marking the lowest level since the onset of the pandemic. Some universities have reported a 50 percent decline in their international student enrollment.

The sharp decline is due to the Trump administration’s new higher education policies. These include travel bans or restrictions on 19 countries, threats of deportation for international students, conditions placed on universities receiving federal funds and delays in visa processing for international students in the US.

Recently, Trump implemented a $100,000 fee for H-1B visas for skilled foreign workers, raising concerns among international applicants and employers. This policy will affect foreign students who plan to attend US universities and subsequently work or practice in the US.

Canada has been the top destination for Filipino students over the past decade. More than 40,000 Filipino students are enrolled in Canadian universities, and the country ranks third in international student enrolment (after India and China), according to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

Filipino students are drawn to study in Canada because: 1) students can work while studying to help cover education and living expenses; 2) graduates can apply for a three-year Work Permit to work in Canada after their studies; 3) completing their studies is a pathway to permanent residency; 4) accompanying family members can work while a student is enrolled and 5) financial support is available for students.

Data from the Canadian Bureau for International Education shows that 60 percent of international students in Canada are interested in becoming permanent residents after completing their studies.

The nearly one million Filipino immigrant families also serve as a safety net for students planning to study in Canada.

Unfortunately, these liberal education policies have led to a surge in international student enrolment in Canada, thereby affecting the availability of housing, social services and employment.

There are also many documented cases of international students using Canada as a stepping stone to the US, or of students working rather than pursuing their studies.

In 2024, the Canadian government imposed a moratorium on international student applications. The Carney administration said that it will reduce the number of temporary foreign workers and students to less than five percent of the total population by 2027.

In the first half of 2025, Canada issued 36,417 international student visas, 90,000 fewer than in the same period of the previous year and almost a quarter of a million fewer than in January and June 2023.

The number of new international students declined by 97 percent in 2026 compared with its peak in 2023.

Alas, neither the Department of Foreign Affairs nor CHED has informed Filipino students planning to study abroad about these developments, nor guided them to other countries that offer better opportunities.

Without government intervention, many students will fall prey to dishonest recruiters who continue to portray educational opportunities in a positive light.

Australia and New Zealand remain appealing destinations for international students because of their top-ranked universities and pathways to employment and residency for graduates in key occupations. Australia aims to increase international student enrollment by 25,000 in 2026.

China offers many academic opportunities for Filipino students. However, politicians have repeatedly raised the West Philippine Sea issue to intimidate and torpedo CHED and HEI officials planning to establish university partnerships in China.

These developments now require CHED and Philippine HEIs to pause and reevaluate their internationalization policies, particularly when selecting foreign universities for academic partnerships.

Remember that one of the main reasons many foreign universities sign agreements with Philippine HEIs is to build connections for student recruitment. Due to strict US and Canadian policies toward international students, Memoranda of Agreement may become documents of good intention rather than actual pathways for global education.

CHED must also implement the Transnational Higher Education law (THEL) to enable foreign universities to establish campuses in the country or offer joint programs, thereby allowing Filipinos to access international education without leaving the country.

Our THEL lags behind that of our neighboring countries. As a result, six years after its passage, very few international universities have established campuses in the country.

CHED must now rethink, recalibrate and work more effectively to develop new educational pathways for our students.

*      *      *

Email: [email protected].