It’s not just visas. It’s survival.
For years, international students have been the lifeblood of higher education institutions in North America. They brought more than culture and perspective—they brought money. A lot of it. In 2022 alone, international students in the U.S. added over $32 billion to the economy, while Canadian campuses have leaned on international tuition to subsidize everything from campus expansions to undergrad parties.
But the gravy train has hit a roadblock. Immigration policies in Canada and the U.S. are shifting, fast. Tighter student visa requirements. Stricter work hours. Crippling restrictions on pathways to residency. As these policies choke the flow of international students, institutions are scrambling to adjust. Some will adapt. Others will close their doors. This isn’t a theoretical threat; it’s happening now.
The question is, who survives?