If you’re planning to study overseas, it’s worth keeping an eye on changes to student visa rules.
Over the past few weeks, Australia and the United States have both announced major updates, while Canada continues to operate under tighter policies introduced over the past two years.
Here’s a quick roundup of what’s changed.
Australia: Student visa fees rise again
From 1 July 2026, the Student visa (subclass 500) application fee increased from AUD $2,000 to AUD $2,500. Temporary Graduate visa application fees also rose to AUD $5,750. The Australian Government says the increases are part of broader migration reforms, while universities and industry groups have warned the higher costs could make Australia less competitive.
If you’re applying to study in Australia, we’ve broken down exactly what the changes mean in our Insider Guides article:
Read more: Australia’s student visa fees have increased again
United States: Trump announces tighter rules for international students
The Trump administration has announced sweeping changes to US student visas that would significantly alter how long international students can stay in the country.
Under the new rule:
- F-1 student visas will generally be limited to four years, replacing the previous “duration of status” system, which meant students could remain in the country for as long as it took to finish their degrees. The new rules will put a time limit on that stay.
- Students completing longer degrees, such as PhDs, may need to apply for extensions.
- The grace period after finishing a course will reduce from 60 days to 30 days.
- The administration has sought to cap the number of foreign students at some elite colleges and moved to revoke the visas of students who have been critical of US foreign policy.
The changes are expected to take effect later this year, although they may still face legal and political challenges.
Canada: Caps and tighter post-study work rules remain
Canada has also made studying there more difficult over the past two years.
The federal government has introduced caps on the number of international student permits issued and narrowed eligibility for Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWPs). In many cases, graduates now need to complete programs linked to occupations facing long-term labour shortages to qualify for post-study work rights.
These measures were introduced to reduce pressure on housing and public services, but they have also prompted concerns from universities and student groups about Canada’s attractiveness as a study destination.
What does this mean for students?
International education remains a great opportunity, but it’s becoming increasingly important to research visa requirements before deciding where to study.
Application costs, post-study work rights and visa conditions are changing more frequently than they have in previous years. If you’re planning to study abroad, make sure you’re relying on official government information and speak with your education provider or counsellor before lodging your application.