Select international students intending to arrive in the US for studies in 2021 will be eligible for interview waivers, the government has said.

Stakeholders in the US’ international education community have welcomed new government commitments to promote the country as a study destination. 

The US government has awarded 26 US colleges and universities with grants to develop and expand study abroad programs around the world. 

The numbers of US outbound students joining study abroad programs for academic credit rose 1.6% in the 2018/19 academic year.

New international student enrolments fell 43% in fall 2020, a survey has revealed, while the Open Doors 2020 report has shown that total international students in the US has declined for the first time in more than a decade.

The Stevens Initiative has announced 18 grants for virtual exchange programs to ensure students can develop cross-cultural skills during the pandemic.

The US has announced that travellers from the Schengen area, the UK and Ireland may be allowed into the country, but suspensions for J-1 holders remain.

NAFSA has requested the country's Department of State to put video conferencing interviews in place of in-person requirements.