How are exchange students after restriction in the US? Change destination is an option

Bywarezp2p.com.br
21 de junho de 2025
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An unexpected change in US visa policy has been suspended for the lives of thousands of Brazilian students who planned to start their exchange courses in the country later this year. Since the end of May, the US government canceled interview schedules For the issuance of student visas, which caught the plans of those who dreamed of boarding universities and high schools in the second semester.

The measure has reached students from around the world and paralyzed sales of long -term educational programs in the United States. In Brazil, companies in the sector registered an intense movement of relocation and cancellation of travel. Many students, who had already paid off and guaranteed their vacancies, now face the uncertainty of when, and if they can board.

“What we are living is unheard of. Even those who have money today cannot board. There is no availability for scheduling student visa interviews,” says Christina Bicalho, vice president of Student Travel Bureau (STB), one of the largest Brazilian companies specializing in international education.

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Dreams in Suspended

According to Christina, only the STB counts about 700 students with locked tripsout of a total of 1,800 to 2,000 students scheduled to board this second semester. “It is heartbreaking, because many of these young people have planned this trip for years, locked enrollment in Brazil and some have even paid the courses abroad. Many may miss the opportunity for a lifetime,” he says.

Among the most affected are students of High School (High School) and those who will start undergraduate or graduate in the United States. Those traveling to short English courses may, in some cases, still use tourist visa and redirect exchange to other countries.

“We have already suspended all long -term sales sales for the United States. We are prioritizing alternatives in Canada, Australia, England and European countries. Many students are already migrating to these destinations,” says the executive.

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Sought by the report of Infomoney, The US consulate did not answer the questions.

Diversification of Destinations

The exchange market, which grew around 20% for two straight years after the pandemic, expected to continue in the same footprint in 2025, but perhaps that will change a little. However, the United States has been losing space in the destination portfolio in recent times. According to Christina, even before the suspension, the country already represented only 20% of company sales.

“The cost of studying in the United States has risen a lot, while countries like Canada and Australia offer high quality programs with more affordable values. The diversification movement was already happening and has now been accelerated by this crisis,” he explains.

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The lack of official information further aggravates the tension. “The embassy and the consulates have not given us any prediction. There is no date for the resumption. The only certainty is that, for now, there is no possibility of scheduling interviews for student visas,” says Christina.

Impacts on the sector

In addition to the individual drama of students, the crisis directly affects the international education sector, which moves thousands of students and companies throughout Brazil. The impact can be even deeper for small agencies that depend almost exclusively on the United States as a destination.

“It’s a gigantic market. STB has structure to react and offer options in Canada, Australia, England, Ireland, Germany and even Asia. But small agencies may have more difficulty redirecting their clients,” he says.

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The scenario also creates uncertainties for American universities, which historically depend on international students, and the recipes they bring, to maintain part of their programs. “The United States has always proud of diversity in its classrooms. This interruption, besides harming students, can affect educational institutions themselves,” he warns.

American dream is postponed

In addition to the delay in resuming the appointments, the sector fears that the new rules for student visas will be accompanied by more rigid checking processesincluding analysis of social networks and in -depth investigations into candidates’ history. These changes, if confirmed, can further expand the processing time and make it difficult to enter foreigners.

For many Brazilian students, the American dream is being postponed and, in some cases, abandoned. “There are families that arrive at the office today and already say,” Any country, except the United States, “says Christina.

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Despite the crisis, STB believes that the total volume of shipments abroad may be maintained throughout the year, with the growth of these alternative destinations. The episode, however, leaves a warning about the dependence on migratory policies and the need for diversification of options in international exchange.

Light at the end of the tunnel

Given the impact that the suspension of visas caused US education, NAFSA, an international education association, has been fighting with US parliamentarians to revert the problem. According to information on the entity’s website, this work has been done because “international students and academics are essential for the economy, development, workforce and national security of the United States.”

In a statement on Wednesday (18), the US State Department announced that it will restart the process so that foreign students can ask for a visa.

In recent weeks, the procedure had been suspended so that changes in protocols were adopted. And now the US government announces that it will harden the analysis of the digital footprint of candidates foreven requiring the unlocking of restricted social networks. Any signs of political activism or anti -Semitic incentives will be considered and denounced. Those who do not have social network will also be seen as potential risk because they can hide facts.