BEIJING, May 27 (Xinhua) -- Compared with previous years, more Chinese students studying overseas said they did not plan to immigrate in the future, according to a report released earlier this week.

The Report on Chinese Students' Overseas Study, issued by the New Oriental Vision Overseas and six other companies, was based on a survey conducted both online and offline between February and March this year covering about 5,000 valid samples.

A total of 46 percent of Chinese students abroad surveyed said they did not have immigration plans for the future, up from 35 percent in 2016 and 39 percent in 2017.

Among those surveyed who were planning to study abroad, a total of 25 percent said they intended to return to China to work right after graduation. The figures in 2016 and 2017 were 16 percent and 23 percent, respectively.

Moreover, about 52 percent said they prefer to work for a while before returning, believing that this would enhance their work experience and widen their horizons. This figure was a 10-percentage point increase compared with the number in 2016, according to the report.

The report said that the development of China and its favorable economic environment may be the main reasons for the changes, while tightening of immigration polices in relevant countries may also be a factor.