[International] Western Countries Scrutinize Visas, Making Employment Difficult; 90% of Chinese Students Return Home

Foreign media reports indicate that due to strengthened visa scrutiny by Western countries and increased employment barriers for Chinese students after graduation, the return rate of Chinese students to China has reached 94% of those who studied abroad in the same year, setting a historical high. According to reports from Chosun Ilbo and The Economist, data from the U.S. Center for Immigration Studies (CIS) shows that from May to August 2025, only 40,034 F-1 student visas were issued to Chinese nationals, merely 50% of the average number over the past seven years. The U.S. has intensified background checks on Chinese students in cutting-edge science and technology fields and raised employment thresholds after graduation. The Economist, citing statistics from China's Ministry of Education, reported that approximately 570,000 Chinese students went abroad to study in 2025, a decrease of 130,000 compared to 2019, marking the lowest figure since 2016. Around 540,000 Chinese nationals completed their overseas studies and returned home, accounting for 94% of those who went abroad. Meanwhile, China's economic slowdown has led to a significant increase in study costs, diminishing the return on investment for overseas degrees. According to statistics from the Chinese education company New Oriental, as of this year, the average annual cost of overseas study for Chinese students is RMB 605,000 (NT$2.89 million), an increase of about 20% compared to 2023. However, the average starting salary for "haigui" (those who returned after studying abroad) in China is RMB 12,800 per month (NT$61,146), only about 20% higher than the RMB 10,700 for domestic university graduates. Chinese companies' perceptions of overseas degrees have also shifted. While it is commonly believed in China that admission and graduation from one-year master's programs in places like the UK and Australia are relatively easy, on the other hand, Peking University and Tsinghua University are ranked among the top 20 universities globally, and Chinese universities have significantly improved their research competitiveness in science and engineering in recent years. Furthermore, companies increasingly value students' practical work experience and adaptability to Chinese organizational culture over the prestige of overseas universities, often preferring to hire graduates from Chinese universities. Additionally, many local governments restrict overseas university graduates from applying for civil service positions. The Economist analyzes that the "overseas study premium," once considered a guaranteed path to success, has diminished. (Editor: Chen Wen-wei)