There has been a 25pc drop in young people travelling from Ireland to the US on student visas, US authorities recorded last month.
Preliminary data from the tourism office within the US Department of Commerce shows Denmark saw an even steeper decline in May compared to the same month last year, with a 32pc drop in student visa arrivals.
Ireland’s uptake of 5,000 summer work J1 visas annually is prominent due to the reciprocal arrangement with the US. The J-1 exchange visitor programme, including the summer work travel category popular with students, involves participants from over 200 countries annually. The U.S. State Department issued 284,486 J-1 visas (including non-student categories) and 92,619 Summer Work Travel in 2022.
In May 2025, the U.S. State Department paused J-1 visa interview scheduling to expand social media vetting, potentially reducing issuances. England showing a 13.9pc decline in sponsored study visas in 2024, with India and Nigeria seeing drops of 26pc and 55pc.
The J-1 programme is regarded a “rite of passage” for Irish students, but concerns about U.S. immigration scrutiny and potential visa bans under the Trump administration (e.g., targeting activism related to Gaza) have impacted enthusiasm. The Union of Students in Ireland (USI) warned against activism due to risks of arrest or deportation, further deterring participation.
