New immigration policies in Australia, Canada, and the UK aimed at reducing net migration by limiting international student numbers could cost these countries billions in economic contributions. While media coverage has focused on the impact of foreign students on housing and healthcare, less attention has been paid to their substantial economic value. Recent analyses reveal the significant GDP contributions of international students, with Australia’s NAB finding they accounted for over half of the country’s 1.5% GDP growth in 2023. Canada’s contribution was estimated at CDN$31 billion in 2022, while the UK saw a profit of £41.9 billion in 2021/22. As these countries implement stricter policies, they risk immediate revenue losses across multiple sectors and a decline in long-term innovative potential, as exemplified by the surge in billion-dollar startups founded by former international students in the US.
