With U.S. Policy Shifts, More American Students Turn To Canadian Universities

India-West News Desk

WASHINGTON, D.C. — As the Trump administration tightens visa rules and slashes federal funding for higher education, growing numbers of students in the United States are setting their sights on Canadian universities.

At the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Vancouver, officials say applications to graduate programs from U.S. citizens have jumped 27% as of March 1, compared to the entire 2024 academic year. The spike in interest has prompted the university to briefly reopen admissions for certain graduate programs, with plans to fast-track American applications for a September 2025 start.

In a statement to Reuters, UBC attributed the increase directly to recent U.S. policy changes, including the revocation of foreign student visas and funding cuts to American universities under President Donald Trump.

The University of Toronto, widely considered a leading Canadian alternative to Ivy League institutions, also reported a “meaningful increase” in applications from U.S.-based students. Although the school did not explicitly link the rise to U.S. political developments, it confirmed that the number of American applicants is notably higher than in previous years.

Similarly, the University of Waterloo has seen a rise in campus visits and web traffic from the U.S. since September, a spokesperson told Reuters. While neither Toronto nor Waterloo attributed the interest to any specific cause, the timing of the surge coincides with changes in U.S. immigration and education policy.

This shifting dynamic comes as Canada itself imposes tighter controls on international student admissions. For the second year in a row, the country has capped the number of foreign students allowed to enter. Canada’s immigration ministry emphasized that universities are expected to admit only as many students as they can adequately support—including in terms of housing and campus services.