Business school academics relocate US conference to Europe citing visa concerns

Business school academics have moved a planned U.S. conference to Europe, saying growing visa uncertainty for international scholars made the shift necessary. Organizers said the decision, announced on 2026-05-14, was driven by concerns that some participants could face delays or denials when trying to travel to the United States, including those weighing a Schengen visa from USA route as a more predictable alternative for attendance in Europe.

The relocation underscores broader worries in academia about access, mobility and the administrative burden of cross-border travel. Conference planners said they wanted to ensure the event remained open to researchers from a wide range of countries, rather than risk last-minute disruptions that could keep presenters from taking part. For some attendees, securing a Schengen visa from USA may be simpler than navigating changing U.S. entry requirements, organizers said.

While the conference will now take place in Europe, the move has sparked wider debate about how visa policy affects the exchange of ideas in higher education. Business school leaders have increasingly warned that travel restrictions can weaken international collaboration, especially at meetings where scholars rely on in-person networking and paper presentations.