The Market Monitor Digest (week 40/2025)
We're glad to bring you the key highlights from this week’s industry news. Thanks to the research from the BONARD Market Monitor team, you’re always in step with the latest market trends.
International Education
US: Trump plans overhaul of H-1B visa favouring high paid workers
By The PIE News, Sep 26, 2025
After hiking the H-1B visa fee to $100,000, the Trump administration has proposed a new visa system favouring higher-skilled, better-paid workers.
New Zealand: International students give New Zealand top marks as enrolments climb
By The Koala News, Sep 29, 2025
Between January and April 2025, 63,610 international students were enrolled with New Zealand education providers. This represents a 16% increase on the same period in 2024 and an impressive 49% rise compared to 2023. Growth was observed across all education sectors, though Private Training Establishments led the way with a 41% increase in enrolments.
Canada: Canadian international school enrolments hold firm
By The PIE News, Sep 30, 2025
International student enrolments at Canadian school districts dipped only slightly in the past year amid dramatic drops at language schools and post-secondary institutions.
South Korea & Kazakhstan: Over 1,500 Kazakh students choose South Korea as new rankings highlight internationalization
By The Astana Times, Sep 30, 2025
The rising popularity of South Korea among Kazakh students is part of broader educational cooperation between the two countries. Earlier this year, Woosong University opened a branch campus in Turkistan, and exchange partnerships have been expanding across multiple institutions.
UK: Sector hits back at Labour’s international fee levy
By The PIE News, Sep 30, 2025
Rather than providing new opportunities for disadvantaged British students, sector voices have suggested the policy will have the reverse effect – instead making it more difficult for them to take up a place at university.
South Korea: South Korea hits its 300,000 student target two years ahead of schedule
By ICEF Monitor, Oct 01, 2025
In 2023, the South Korean government announced a plan to attract 300,000 international students by 2027: 220,000 in degree programmes and another 80,000 in non-degree study. The country, as of the midpoint of 2023, was starting from a base of just over 207,000 foreign students, and seeing some room to grow after booking a 15% increase in visiting student numbers between 2022 and 2023.
US: US SEVIS data appears to contradict sector’s worst fears
By The PIE News, Oct 01, 2025
Despite major visa challenges, international enrolments at US colleges grew by 0.8% in September 2025 compared to the previous year, according to the latest SEVIS data released by the Department of Homeland Security.
Australia: Australian associations call for urgent reduction to visa fee for shorter stays
By Study Travel, Oct 02, 2025
International education associations IEAA, English Australia and ITECA have renewed calls to the government for a reduction to Australia’s AUS$2,000 visa application charge for shorter programmes, warning of damage to the sector and the country's competitiveness.
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