
Foreign Students in UK Face Exploitation and Trafficking Concerns
A podcast highlights the brutal reality faced by foreign students in the UK, with concerns raised about potential trafficking and exploitation within the education system.
124 stories found

A podcast highlights the brutal reality faced by foreign students in the UK, with concerns raised about potential trafficking and exploitation within the education system.
The United States is reportedly considering a proposal to impose a $100,000 fee on foreign students seeking to work in the country after graduation. This potential policy could significantly impact international students, particularly those from India, aiming for H-1B visas or OPT.
An agreement between Portugal's migration agency AIMA and the University of Lisbon's Law Faculty aims to facilitate residence permit access for 30% of foreign students, as well as professors and researchers.

US universities are advising international students, particularly F-1 and J-1 visa holders, to return from overseas before new immigration changes, including a four-year visa limit, take effect on September 15.

The US administration has announced a new policy limiting foreign students to a four-year stay in the country unless they receive explicit additional approval from federal authorities.

The United States has expanded its airstrikes, hitting bridges and a port in southern Iran, causing dozens of casualties. In retaliation, Iran has launched attacks against Gulf countries and Syria, leading to a halt in traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
The new rule from the US DHS creates a fixed time period for visas for international students and members of the media, which were previously available for the duration of the program or employment.

An article argues against an 'education-exit' debate in Austria, emphasizing that foreign students are more than just guests; they enhance the quality of universities and are valuable assets to the labor market, urging Austria to utilize this potential.

More foreign students than domestic students are enrolling as freshmen at Austria's public universities, raising concerns about the cost to the state if graduates do not remain in the country.
A consultancy firm, Qualification Check, states that thousands of foreign students made false qualification claims, with many UK universities reportedly not conducting detailed verification.
The Icelandic Parliament (Alþingi) has approved stricter conditions for residence permits for foreign students, requiring them to regularly demonstrate academic progress and limiting family reunification, through amendments to laws on foreigners and foreign employment rights.

The number of foreign students in Portuguese public schools has increased by 283% over the past ten years, with approximately one in seven students being foreign in the 2023/2024 academic year.

The Dutch government has decided against its plan to screen 8,000 foreign students and researchers annually to mitigate risks associated with sensitive technology.

Georgia has published new legislative changes that will criminalize 'sham marriages' and revise the rules governing foreign students in the country.

The 'Babel Classroom' platform enables teachers to deliver lessons in Portuguese, with their speech automatically transcribed and translated in real-time into up to four languages, facilitating learning for foreign students.
Of the 80,000 foreign students in Portuguese universities, 56% are from the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP). This strong presence reflects the power of the Portuguese language in breaking down barriers, according to Professor Luís Reto, author of the Global Atlas of the Portuguese Language.

A new House bill aims to close a payroll tax loophole in the OPT program after an ICE investigation uncovered a fraud scheme involving over 10,000 foreign students and suspect employers.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has announced a crackdown targeting 10,000 foreign students, prompting advice for OPT employers on compliance checks.

The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has flagged 10,000 foreign students, including many Indians, in an ongoing investigation into the misuse of Optional Practical Training (OPT) visas.
A major ICE crackdown is underway targeting approximately 10,000 foreign students on OPT visas, with investigations revealing "fake companies" allegedly operating from India.

Under a new bill sent to parliament, foreign students in Finland could lose their residence permits if they apply for basic social assistance even once, as part of a broader effort to tighten immigration rules.
Spain is falling behind in the internationalization of its universities, with only 20 campuses attracting 60% of foreign students, growing slower than the global average and ranking low among OECD countries.

President Trump signed a new counterterrorism strategy focusing on hemispheric threats and also made remarks regarding Iran, including the possibility of a deal and the acquisition of enriched uranium. During this period, he also hosted UFC fighters in the Oval Office.
Uzbekistan has seen a 2.3-fold increase in the number of foreign students.

Three Mongolian agencies have appealed to the Irish Department of Justice, stating that over 250 Mongolian students are struggling to recoup up to €3,100 each owed to them by six English language schools in Ireland.

France intends to implement stricter selection criteria for foreign students and substantially increase tuition fees for most non-EU students starting in the 2026 academic year, prioritizing science and engineering programs.

Michael Schaepman, Rector of the University of Zurich, stated that the current 720 Swiss Francs tuition fee is arbitrary but expressed opposition to increasing student contributions. He also suggested that foreign students should commit to staying in Switzerland after graduation instead of facing higher fees.
Turkey, the Red Crescent, and the National Committee for Humanitarian Law have condemned alleged US-Israeli strikes on Iranian universities and civilian infrastructure, including a "Minab tragedy" that martyred students. A UN envoy stated the international community is not indifferent, and Iran affirmed education for foreign students would continue despite war losses. Former Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi was also martyred in these US-Israeli attacks.

A report highlights the harsh realities faced by foreign students in the UK, including exploitation by unscrupulous recruiters and significant debt, as universities increasingly rely on their full tuition fees. Critics describe some practices as akin to trafficking.

Many foreign youths, including 15-year-old Ian Ostryi from Moscow, are starting Finnish high schools now to avoid upcoming tuition fees, with some schools accepting mid-semester arrivals.
Foreign students now outnumber Japanese students in nursing care schools, a trend attributed to Japan's shrinking youth population and below-average wages in the sector.
The number of foreign students in South Korea has surpassed 310,000 for the first time, marking a new milestone for the country's international education sector.

Busan has begun offering fingerprint registration services for foreign students at the National Pension Service’s Busan building in Yeonje-gu, the city said Monday.

Hong Kong’s education authorities plan to establish an “internationally benchmarked” version of the city’s university entrance exam on a pilot basis to allow foreign students to apply for admission…
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Seoul has become a popular destination for young people from around the world. Each year, more and more foreign students arrive at Korean universities through various international exchange programs. Some stay for a semester, while others stay for the whole academic year. In fact, one of the most prominent developments in Korean colleges lately is the growing population of international exchange students on campus. By the way, the number of foreign students seeking degrees in Korean universities

Open policies, strong academic opportunities, and promising career prospects are drawing a record number of foreign students to South Korea, with Vietnamese nationals leading the influx.

Lithuania plans to reduce the permitted work hours for foreign students by half.
A report highlights concerns regarding the 'Pakistani connection' of Texas Medical Board members, focusing on their dual roles and advising foreign students.

Try questions from the test used by more than 50 UK higher education institutions

Canada has revised its study permit policy, reducing the validity period for international students who need to complete preparatory courses before their main academic programs.

Universities, builders and health trusts are feeling the squeeze, as thinktank says effect of zero net migration could be similar to Brexit ‘It’s been life-changing’: young Britons on why they left the UK When Greenwich and Kent universities said this month they would merge to save money, the heart of their financial difficulties could be found in the UK government’s crackdown on immigration. Tough restrictions on foreign students have sent the number of university applications from abroad plummeting, cutting lucrative tuition fees and leaving all universities facing the same squeeze. Continue reading...
Latvian universities are reportedly spending thousands of euros to attract foreign students, prompting an article to explore the reasons behind this investment.

Radoslav Ďurajka, a lecturer at the Studia Academica Slovaca summer school, explains that foreign students are not taught specific Slovak words they don't need, aiming to dispel the myth that Slovak is difficult.

New administration rules concerning foreign students have prompted education experts to express worries about the future of American academic leadership and the potential impact on international academia in the U.S.

A new hidden population, often foreign students, has emerged in Finland, facing financial hardship and a high risk of exploitation, with three students sharing their experiences.

The Trump administration has drastically limited the length of visas for foreign students and journalists, capping them at 240 days for general journalists and 90 days for Chinese journalists. This move has drawn criticism from China and concerns about its impact on international students.

The United States has announced new visa regulations that will shorten the permitted stay for foreign students and journalists. These changes include limiting foreign students' stays to four years and setting journalist visas at 240 days, with Chinese reporters restricted to 90 days.

Karnataka has maintained its position as the top destination for foreign students in India, while Punjab has overtaken Tamil Nadu, experiencing a 47% increase in enrollment over the past decade.
AIMA has signed an agreement with the Faculty of Law of Lisbon to streamline the processing of documents for foreign students, aiming to renew residence permits within a maximum of 30 days.
António Jácomo, president of CESPU's Ethics Committee for Health, states that Portuguese universities should align their courses with the realities and needs of the growing number of foreign students in Portugal.
The White House has cleared a new visa rule that will impact foreign students in the US, limiting their status. This new regulation has faced opposition from many, and its implications for Indian students have been highlighted.
A report by Edulog reveals that over 80% of immigrant students in Portugal failed their 9th-grade exams, highlighting the challenges schools face in integrating recent migratory flows and the threat to foreign students' academic success.

The Budapest Transport Center (BKK) announced new restrictions on public transport passes for foreign students, effective June 15, impacting those holding foreign student ID cards.

The Netherlands has seen a decrease in the number of international students for the first time in two decades, with 129,764 foreign students enrolled in the current academic year.

Georgia's Interior Ministry announced new legislative amendments on June 8, introducing stricter migration rules for foreign students and local educational institutions. The changes also criminalize fictitious marriages between Georgian and foreign citizens.

The United Kingdom has introduced stricter immigration measures that could prevent universities from recruiting international students if they do not meet new compliance standards.

The eighth edition of the Italian Language Universiade, an international competition for foreign students of Italian, has concluded in Belarus.

The Nigerian government has commenced the payment of outstanding scholarships to its foreign students, including those under the Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) scheme, addressing a backlog of owed stipends.

A recent report from the Estonian Research Council indicates a significant increase in both admissions to doctoral studies and defended dissertations in Estonia. This surge is largely attributed to foreign students, though concerns about Estonian-language higher education persist.
US immigration agencies have uncovered extensive fraud within the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, involving thousands of foreign students and suspect employers using fake offices and work locations.

The Seongbuk Global Village Center in Seoul is providing a two-day job interview coaching program for foreign students and residents, with applications opening recently.

Ireland's Department of Justice has requested three Mongolian agencies, which recruit students for English language schools in Ireland, to provide details on claims that young people are owed money by six schools.

Portugal now requires foreign students to obtain a prior consular residence visa before applying to Portuguese institutions. Previously, students only applied for residency after matriculation.

Finland is moving forward with plans to tighten income and language proficiency requirements for foreign students, a measure the government states is in response to financial hardship experienced by some students.
During a 'Offline Weekend,' students exchanged screens for silence, with foreign students participating in the third edition of the event while Portuguese students hesitated to sign up.

Foreign student enrollment rates in China are recovering post-pandemic, driven by rising demand from Asia and Africa, as students are drawn by lower costs, scholarships, and shifting global dynamics.

Germany is on course for a record 420,000 international students in the 2025-2026 academic year, drawing record numbers from India, Vietnam, and across Asia with free tuition and scholarships even as…
Japan is implementing new measures to control unauthorized employment among foreign students.

International students in Canada, including Nigerians, will no longer require a separate co-op work permit for internships, co-ops, and practicums under a new rule effective April 1, 2026.
North Korea is distancing itself from longtime partner Iran and carefully managing its public messaging to preserve the possibility of a new relationship with Washington after the war, South Korea’s National Intelligence Service has assessed, according to lawmakers briefed by the agency. The NIS told a closed-door parliamentary session that Pyongyang has sent no weapons […]
A surge in foreign student enrollment at NCAT, Zaria, has significantly boosted foreign exchange inflow, according to Ismaila, contributing to the local economy.
Malaysia has ceased to be the primary source of foreign students for Taiwan, as there has been a significant increase in students from Vietnam.

South Korea produced a record 19,831 PhD holders last year, but a growing share are struggling to find high-paying jobs, raising concerns about the prospects for hundreds of thousands of international students and the overall value of advanced degrees.

An audit has found that Canada Border Services Agency has no clear data on whether foreign students leave the country after their visas expire, noting that only 40% of 39,500 individuals whose visas expired in 2024 were confirmed to have departed.
International schools in Ethiopia are exploring alternative solutions to new Ministry rules regarding the threshold for foreign students.

Visa denials have blocked 167 international students under 19 from attending vocational schools in South Korea for the 2026 academic year, prompting calls for closer coordination among government agencies, a National Assembly report said Monday. The report from the National Assembly Research Service said 100 students were denied visas in South Jeolla Province, followed by 33 in North Gyeongsang Province and 17 each in North Jeolla and South Chungcheong provinces, after being admitted to vocation

Peter Vesterbacka's education company, Finest Future, is reportedly facing bankruptcy, leaving foreign students in Finland to their own devices as the company claims no contractual obligations to them.

The Cyprus Federation of Employers and Industrialists (Oev) said this week that a revised decree on the employment of foreign students from third countries had been published in the Official Gazette of the Republic, setting out the sectors and professions in which they may work in Cyprus. Under the decree, students may only take up […]

Lithuania's Vice Minister of Internal Affairs has proposed reducing the allowed weekly working hours for foreign students from 40 to 20, starting from the new academic year.

An Yle investigation last year revealed that third-party agents have exploited Finland's image as the "happiest country in the world" to sell an inaccurate or downright misleading image of life in the country.

Japan has surpassed its long-term goal of enrolling 400,000 foreign students eight years ahead of schedule, with top universities now easing caps on international students.

Jeonbuk State in South Korea is proactively addressing demographic challenges by developing policies to integrate foreign students into its workforce and encourage long-term residency.

A report indicates that foreign students working in South Korea are largely employed in retail, restaurants, and lodging sectors, with most earning less than 2 million won ($1,390) monthly. Approximately 83 percent of employed international students work in these areas.

The Trump administration is reportedly considering a proposal to impose a $100,000 fee on foreign students who wish to work in the United States after graduation, a move that has sparked outrage.

Latvia's Ministry of Education and Science has prepared documents to introduce stricter requirements for foreign students from third countries, with some universities already implementing their own measures.

The United States has implemented new visa regulations that end indefinite stays for foreign students and journalists. This change aims to tighten immigration rules for these groups.

Critics argue that America's broken legal immigration system is designed to replace US workers, citing that over 83% of H-1B visas went to entry-level workers paid below median wages, and the OPT program allows 400,000 foreign students to take key jobs.

The US conducted a sixth consecutive night of airstrikes against strategic targets in Iran, hitting an airport, bridges, and a railway station. Concurrently, the Trump administration announced tighter visa regulations for foreign students and journalists.

Latvia's Education and Science Minister, Ilze Indriksone, is advocating for stricter evaluation of potential foreign students, urging universities to prioritize applicants from the European Union and European Economic Area.
Poland has seen a decrease in the number of foreign students studying in the country, a trend attributed to regulatory changes from the previous year. This decline impacts universities, which rely on foreign students to offset fewer domestic applicants, generate additional income, and support the local economy.

A private college in South Korea is facing scrutiny for delaying over W1 billion in tuition refunds to more than 170 foreign students whose visa applications were denied, after reportedly using half of the funds for operating expenses.

The Icelandic parliament has approved stricter rules for foreign students seeking to stay in the country.
New Zealand universities and private tertiary institutes reported an all-time high of $1.3 billion in revenue from international enrolments in 2025, even as the number of foreign students declined.

Nearly 18,000 foreign students are currently studying in Bulgaria.
Georgia's Interior Ministry has drafted legislation aimed at tightening the rules for granting temporary and permanent residency to foreign students and spouses of Georgian citizens.
The illegal practice of employing foreigners with fictitious student status requires coordinated action from various state bodies in Poland, including the State Labor Inspectorate, Border Guard, Social Insurance Institution, and prosecutor's office.

Belgium has introduced stricter conditions for non-European Union students seeking to study in the country. This move aims to regulate the influx of foreign students.

Right-wing politicians in Poland have criticized a city's celebration of Africa Day and the increasing number of foreign students, drawing a strong rebuke from the deputy mayor.

US Immigration authorities are probing foreign students regarding fraudulent claims related to Optional Practical Training (OPT) employment.

Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons revealed a significant STEM OPT visa fraud scheme involving over 10,000 foreign students connected to suspect employers and 'phantom employees'.
Foreign student enrollment at US universities has fallen by 20%, attributed to restrictive government policies.
US colleges are reporting a 20% decrease in foreign student enrollment, attributed to a recent clampdown on visa policies.
A BBVA Foundation report reveals that only 14 public and 6 private universities educate half of the foreign students in Spain, with a notable preference for Latin American students over Asian ones.

Lithuania's healthcare system is grappling with a growing shortage of nurses, with projections indicating a deficit of at least 8,000 by 2032, leading to consideration of foreign students to fill the gap.

South Korea's Ministry of Justice announced eased visa rules for skilled workers, foreign students, and Jeju Island stays, aiming to address workforce shortages and attract international talent.

Vladimir Putin has set a goal to increase the number of foreign students in Russian universities to 500,000 by 2030, according to Konstantin Mogilevski, Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education.

Poland is attempting to attract more foreign students to counter its demographic decline, though previous growth has stalled due to a recent clampdown on visas.
Small businesses in popular American summer destinations, which heavily rely on J-1 Visa holders, may face difficulties finding foreign students to fill seasonal jobs this year.

The Guardian published a list of six recommended articles for weekend reading, covering diverse topics from snake bites to foreign students' experiences in the UK.

The proportion of foreign students enrolled in higher education institutions in Bulgaria has surpassed the average for the European Union.

An Italian woman who studied Finnish and became a translator in Kuhmo highlights concerns from a professor that the path for foreign students to learn Finnish may be blocked due to a review of support for Finnish language and culture education in foreign universities.
South Korea is implementing stricter driving restrictions for the public sector in response to a heightened energy alert, while Malaysia's civil servants are being directed to work from home amid a domestic fuel crisis. The Federal Ministry of Trade in Bosnia and Herzegovina has also noted a slight increase in average retail fuel prices. Meanwhile, the Hungarian government has rejected a request from the European Commission to suspend protected fuel prices.
Students reported that delays in visa issuance cause many to lose part of the academic year. They also lament the lack of support in integrating foreign students into universities.
The number of foreign students studying in South Korea has reached an unprecedented high, surpassing 310,000 for the first time.
A recent audit has revealed that Canada is not effectively tracking foreign students after their visas lapse, raising questions about immigration oversight.
Malaysian authorities have issued a warning to foreign students regarding the prevalence of online money changing scams, urging caution.

The article explores the reasons behind an increasing number of foreign students opting for higher education in India.

Latvia is considering implementing stricter requirements for foreign students enrolling in its universities, as the number of international students has grown to 16% of the total, raising concerns about their true reasons for entry.

Sejong University has received the highest grade in a government certification assessing universities’ internationalization capabilities, including their ability to attract foreign students and…
Months into his second term, Trump moved to block American academic and scientific institutions from accepting foreign students, affecting undergraduates, medical, and PhD candidates.

Slovenia needs foreign students and experts for economic development but deters them with bureaucracy, highlighting the need for stable university funding and better collaboration with industry and government.

The Finnish government has begun preparing legislation to tighten residency permit requirements for foreign students, a move that could impact food couriers, many of whom are international students.

South Korea is exploring revisions to its migrant worker visa system, with lawmakers proposing to broaden job opportunities for foreign students and the government considering related policy changes.