Chinese students head back to US as Covid-19 entry limits ease

A tepid job market at home and the allure of an American education is prompting many in China to reboot their overseas study plans

But path may not be so clear for science and technology majors

Reading Time:4 minutes

The US embassy and consulates in China started accepting student visa applications again in May. Photo: AP

Published: 12:00pm, 28 Sep 2021

Daisy Liang started to apply for postgraduate programmes at American universities five weeks ago.

As the United States eased quarantine measures for Chinese students last month , Liang, who works for a foreign company in Beijing, decided it was time to pursue her dream of studying in the US.

“It’s part of my career plan – graduate from university, work for a couple of years and then go to the US to do a master’s degree,” Liang, 26, said. “It’s a set path for many of my friends. It won’t change easily.”

China is the largest source of international students for the US, with 470,000 active students in the country in 2019, according to official US data. However, the number fell by nearly 92,000 last year, as many returned home and the US missions suspended routine visa services because of the pandemic.

The US embassy and consulates in China started accepting student visa applications again in May. And since August 1, Chinese students have no longer had to spend two weeks quarantined in a third place before entering the US.

They must only present a negative test result 72 hours before departure, have another Covid-19 test three to five days after arrival and undergo seven days of home quarantine. In addition, most universities require students to be fully vaccinated.

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