“It is difficult to compare statistics from previous years as that number is unavailable,” he added.
He believes that the island’s edu-business is moving in “a positive direction.”
Commerce has been amending foreign student application requirements since April and schools have been raising complaints about these new regulations.
According to Ada, the schools’ biggest complaint was the price of the insurance for their foreign students.
Eucon International School president Christian Wei said too many requirements are a burden for foreign students and may drive them away from the CNMI.
Northern Marianas College has not commented on the issue while Ladera International School of Saipan principal Wayne Pangelinan said they are complying with the regulations.
Starting on Nov. 28, when federal immigration law takes effect in the CNMI, Ada said foreign students will have to follow the visa regulations under the federal system.
Commerce is preparing schools for federalization by certifying institutions eligible to accept foreign students, he added.
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