#Visa

A major new analysis warns that new international student enrollment could fall by 30–40 percent this fall. The study links the drop to recent visa policy changes and processing disruptions that began in late May (NAFSA report).

The finding matters for Thai students and Thai education partners. Many Thai families and recruitment agents plan fall admissions now.

The study comes from NAFSA and JB International. The groups used SEVIS and State Department visa data for their model (NAFSA report).

The dream of studying in the United States is under siege as a visa processing breakdown threatens to derail thousands of Thai families’ plans. The U.S. State Department’s stalled processing and new security measures could keep many international students, including Thai scholars, from starting university this fall.

The human impact is immediate. In Bangkok’s education hubs, anxious families clutch acceptance letters while wondering if their children will reach campus on time. Estimates from national and international education groups indicate a substantial share of international students may miss the fall term due to backlogs, visa appointments running weeks or even months late, and heightened screening requirements.

Thousands of Thai students planning to study in American universities this fall face an unprecedented crisis that could devastate their educational dreams and Thailand’s pathway to global knowledge. A comprehensive analysis by the National Association of Foreign Student Advisers and JB International reveals shocking projections that new international student enrollment could plummet by 30-40 percent this academic year, triggered by visa processing catastrophes that began in late May.

The implications ripple directly through Bangkok’s education consultancy offices, where anxious Thai families have invested hundreds of thousands of baht in American university applications and preparation programs. These projections represent more than statistical abstractions—they signal potential educational exile for an entire generation of Thai students who have spent years preparing for American higher education opportunities.

Turkmenistan is on the cusp of a major shift in access for international visitors. New visa reforms could simplify entry and boost tourism, marking the most significant opening since the Soviet era. For Thai travelers and Southeast Asian visitors, this could unlock transformative cultural experiences beyond the usual destinations while strengthening regional connectivity.

Historically, entering Turkmenistan required Letters of Introduction via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and approval from government-approved tour operators. The process was long, opaque, and restrictive, limiting spontaneous travel and independent exploration.

A Golden Visa could offer a lifeline to Thailand’s economy as growth slows and tourism softens. Policy discussions at a recent conference highlighted a program that would grant residency in exchange for investments and property purchases. Proponents say the plan could bolster GDP, ease public debt pressure, and spur domestic spending.

Thailand’s current economic picture makes the proposal timely. Growth has hovered around 2% for much of the past decade, with forecasts for 2025 pointing to a potential dip. Tourism remains a key driver, contributing roughly 12-15% of GDP, but arrivals have cooled, especially from China, dampening local consumption and business momentum. In addition, new US tariffs on Thai exports could affect sectors such as manufacturing and agriculture, underscoring the need to diversify capital sources.