Studying abroad to complete one’s educational career or improve one’s CV now appears as the safest accelerator of life but also of career. On the other hand, French major schools, which are facing a decline in student demographics and a decrease in public funding, are expanding their campuses outside France to recruit new students. They all make the same observation but develop different strategies, convinced that the most prestigious rankings are now global. This race to export a nationally recognized educational system is not without obstacles in an increasingly tense geopolitical context where visa policies become a weapon. Establishments are not improvised and remain costly in a highly competitive market. Students dream of distant and sometimes exotic horizons as highlighted by the exclusive barometer conducted by our partners at L’Express Connect. They have taken the time to ponder Lamartine: “There is no man more complete than the one who has traveled a lot, who has changed the shape of his thoughts and life twenty times.”
With sometimes exorbitant visa costs (2,000 dollars in Australia) and increasingly controlled entry conditions – Canada will grant 7% fewer study permits in 2026 – some countries are showing their intention to reduce the number of foreign students on their soil. In 2024, according to the Times Higher Education, 41% of American, English, and Canadian higher education institutions noted a decrease in enrollments on their campuses.
This contraction has consequences. “It reverses dynamics in several areas,” observes Alexandre Pourchet, NEOMA’s Deputy General Manager for Programs and International. And creates a pull in other regions that are implementing proactive policies.
Asia Secures a Prominent Place
Leading the way: Asia. Faced with declining birth rates, some countries seek to maintain their soft power and influence on the global stage by attracting new talents. Japan has relaxed its visa procedures in 2025, aiming to reduce 400,000 foreigners by 2033. Through its “Study Korea 300K” program, South Korea has welcomed 305,000 young people in 2025, with the goal of encouraging them to stay in cities where the population is declining and universities lack enrollments.
Schools Dealing with Administrative Formalities
Further south, in Thailand, Malaysia, or Indonesia, the competition is just as active. “These countries are implementing attractiveness policies, with fully digitalized procedures, support from host universities, and relatively short processing times,” notes Iona Bolboaca, International Relations Manager at Ipsa, an aeronautical engineering school. In Malaysia, for example, thanks to the “Education Malaysia Global Services” program, universities handle visa applications directly with the immigration department, yielding positive results.
Argentina Ranks Twelfth in Most Welcoming Countries
South America also becomes a sought-after destination for its simplified formalities and the enhancement of its university curricula. Mexico, home to one of the world’s best veterinary science universities, requires no visa application for stays under 180 days. In Argentina, aspiring to become the hub for scientific research in South America, the government has created the “Global Campus” platform, streamlining visa and international scholarship services. According to the latest Campus France ranking (“Student Mobility Worldwide”), with 137,000 entrants, Argentina has risen to the 12th position in the most welcoming countries, surpassing South Korea and Malaysia.
