Australia
7 Oct 2026 · coming
New Transfer stream for students who change provider
Student visa holders who move to a different education provider will need to apply under a new Transfer stream. Rules to stop most 485 graduate visa applicants including family members are also planned. Dates have not been announced.
Source: Study Australia ↗
Australia
17 Sep 2026 · announced
Skilled visa processing to prioritise healthcare, construction and teaching
The Minister for Home Affairs announced updated processing priorities for skilled visas and a redesign of the points test. No start date has been set.
Source: Minister for Home Affairs ↗
Australia
15 Jul 2026
2027 limit for new international students stays at 295,000
The National Planning Level for new overseas student commencements in 2027 is unchanged from 2026. Applications get the highest processing priority until a provider reaches 80% of its allocation, and then take longer.
Source: Study Australia ↗
Australia
1 Jul 2026
Student visa charge rises to AUD 2,500; graduate visa to AUD 5,750
The main applicant charge for the subclass 500 student visa rose from AUD 2,000, and the 485 Temporary Graduate visa to AUD 5,750.
Source: Study Australia ↗
Australia
May 2026 · Budget
Permanent Migration Program for 2026–27 set at 185,000 places
The Skill stream has 132,240 places, with many going to applicants already in Australia.
Source: Budget 2026–27, Paper No. 2 ↗
New Zealand
From 27 Oct 2026
Four changes to New Zealand student visas
New master’s by research students no longer get unlimited work rights: they can now work up to 25 hours a week in term and full time in holidays. English ability is now a key factor in student visa decisions, and INZ can pause processing for providers under investigation. Visas that ended 1 month after the course now end 2 months after.
Source: Immigration New Zealand ↗
New Zealand
From 10 Nov 2026
New selection system for the Parent Resident Visa
About 90% of expressions of interest will now be selected in date order and about 10% by ballot. The first selection is on 10 November 2026 and the yearly cap stays at 2,500. Expressions of interest no longer expire, but people in the pool should keep their details up to date.
Source: Immigration New Zealand ↗
New Zealand
From 16 Nov 2026
Post-study work visa extended, and a new Short-Term Graduate Work Visa
Graduates of a full-time Level 7 graduate diploma who already hold a bachelor’s degree, including one from India, can get a post-study work visa of up to 1 year. A new one-off 6-month open work visa is for Level 5–7 graduates (at least 24 weeks of full-time study in NZ) who don’t qualify, with NZ$5,000 in funds. Paper applications end.
Source: Immigration New Zealand ↗
New Zealand
From 3 Nov 2025
Students can work up to 25 hours a week
Student visas granted from 3 November 2025 allow up to 25 hours of work a week during term, up from 20. Existing visa holders can apply to change their conditions.
Source: Immigration New Zealand ↗
UK
28 Oct 2026 · Budget
Two-year Graduate visa to stay for some universities
The UK Budget says graduates of “high-compliance” universities with strong job outcomes will keep a two-year Graduate visa. Other bachelor’s and master’s graduates still move to 18 months from 1 January 2027. The list of universities and the start date have not been published yet.
Source: The PIE News (UK Budget 2026) ↗
UK
From 1 Jan 2027
Graduate visa shortened to 18 months
Bachelor’s and master’s graduates applying from 1 January 2027 get 18 months instead of two years. PhD graduates keep three years. Apply by 31 December 2026 to get two years.
Source: GOV.UK ↗
UK
From 30 Nov 2026
Higher funds needed for a UK student visa
Applicants must show £1,570 a month for study in London (up from £1,529) or £1,203 a month elsewhere (up from £1,171).
Source: GOV.UK ↗
UK
13 Jul 2026
International student levy on UK universities from 2028
Universities in England will pay £925 per international student per year from August 2028, with each provider’s first 220 international students a year exempt. The levy is paid by providers, not directly by students.
Source: GOV.UK ↗
Canada
5 Nov 2026
Canada sets 150,000 new international students a year for 2027–2029
The 2027–2029 Immigration Levels Plan sets 150,000 new student arrivals a year, within 370,000 new temporary residents, and keeps 380,000 new permanent residents a year. Provincial study permit allocations for 2027 have not been published yet.
Source: Government of Canada ↗
Canada
From 3 Nov 2026
Job offers earn Express Entry points again
A qualifying job offer in a high-wage occupation now earns CRS points, and no LMIA is needed. Canadian work experience in a high-wage occupation also earns points. Draws are paused for up to two weeks while all profiles are recalculated.
Source: Government of Canada ↗
Canada
2026 cap
Canada’s 2026 study permit cap
IRCC plans to issue 408,000 study permits in 2026, including 155,000 for new arrivals. Master’s and PhD students at public institutions no longer need a provincial attestation letter from 1 January 2026.
Source: Government of Canada ↗
English tests
Sep 2026
IELTS in India is now computer-delivered only
IDP ended paper-based IELTS in India after August 2026. The Speaking test is still face to face with an examiner.
Source: Business Standard (IDP statement) ↗
English tests
7 Aug 2025
New English test scores for Australian visas
Home Affairs set new PTE minimums for tests taken from 7 August 2025 and added CELPIP General, LanguageCert Academic and the Michigan English Test.
Source: Department of Home Affairs ↗
This page is general information, not advice for your situation. Rules can change quickly; we confirm the current position at your consultation.