The State Department announced a pause on immigrant visa processing for nationals of 75 countries, a move university leaders say could disrupt international student pipelines and the recruitment strategies of U.S. colleges. At the same time, China unveiled a compulsory admissions exam for overseas applicants seeking undergraduate study, signaling Beijing’s tighter control over international enrolments. Together, the policy shifts in Washington and Beijing represent immediate operational challenges for admissions offices and longer‑term shifts in global student mobility.