UK
The UK is working on improving international education by tightening immigration policies and focusing on quality applications.
Digitised immigration system: A major highlight was that, from 15 July 2025, all main applicants for the UK Student and Work Visas transitioned to a fully digital immigration system. This means that physical vignette stickers in passports are no longer issued for eligible visa categories. Instead, applicants will now receive a digital eVisa to confirm their immigration status.
For this, students need to create a UKVI account, access their eVisa through this account and use their eVisa to prove their immigration status for travel, residence, and employment in the UK. This digital status replaces the physical vignette and will serve as their official proof of permission to enter and stay in the UK. This is a huge plus for students as they can digitally manage their immigration status to live, work and study in the UK.
Visa fee changes: From April 9 2025, in the UK, the visa application fees were increased as part of efforts to lower net migration and tighten compliance. Additionally, a 6% levy on international tuition fees has been proposed.
| Before | From 9 Apr 2025 |
|---|---|
| GBP 490 | GBP 524 |
Responsible recruitment and academic quality: Going forward, universities that partner with recruitment agencies will need to mandatorily follow the Agent Quality Framework (AQF) and will be held accountable for the same. The UK is introducing stricter rules for universities, which include tighter compliance metrics such as enrollment rates, course completion rates and visa refusal rates. Students can rest assured that they receive high standards of education and a supportive learning environment.
Graduate visa route changes: Additionally, the graduate visa route, which helps students stay back in the UK to look for employment after studies, is likely to be reduced from 2 years to 18 months. PhD holders will still be eligible for a 3-year stay.
Despite these adjustments, the UK still remains committed towards providing world-class education and continues to attract top talent from across the globe.
Source: Gov.UK | VFS Global
Canada
While continuing to welcome international students, Canada is looking to incorporate policies to ease the pressure on housing and population growth.
Increased financial security: Effective 1 Sep 2025, the IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) will be increasing the minimum proof-of-funds required for study permit applicants from CAD 20,635 to CAD 22,895. This reflects the current cost of living in Canada and ensures that students come prepared and avoid any unforeseen challenges.
| Before | From 1 Sep 2025 |
|---|---|
| CAD 20,635 | CAD 22,895 |
Sustainable growth: Additionally, in order to ease the load on housing services, Canada has also placed a cap of 437,000 applicants for the remainder of 2025, which is a 10% decrease from the previous year. Graduate students are no longer exempt from this cap. While it seems restrictive, this cap enables students to enjoy comfortable living conditions in a well-resourced environment.
Quality assurance: There are stricter regulations with Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs), which need to check the quality and genuineness of acceptance letters and academic statuses.
No change in visa fee: The student visa application fee remains the same at CAD 150.
Source: ImmigCanada | Canada.ca
USA
The USA continues to remain the hub for global innovation while focusing on strengthening security.
Visa fee changes: From 1 Jan 2025, the J-1, H-1B, TN, and E-3 visa application fees rose from USD 562 to USD 580, and the J-1 amendment fees rose from USD 105 to USD 107. There have been no reported changes to the F-1 MRV (visa) fee or the SEVIS fee.
| Fee type | Before | Current |
|---|---|---|
| J-1, H-1B, TN, and E-3 | USD 562 | USD 580 |
| J-1 amendment fee | USD 105 | USD 107 |
| F-1 MRV fee | USD 185 | No change |
| SEVIS fee | USD 350 | No change |
Enhanced security: In May 2025, there was a temporary pause in the issuance of F-1 student visas in order to accommodate social media screenings and background verification of the applicants. The visa appointments resumed in June with enhanced scrutiny. Students are expected to disclose their social media usernames from the last 5 years for monitoring purposes.
It is said that visa holders will be monitored closely even after the issuance of the visa, to ensure compliance towards US laws and immigration policies. These measures are designed to bolster the integrity of the visa system and ultimately contribute to a more secure environment for all international students.
Commitment towards top talent: Despite all the proposed changes, the USA continues to attract global talent, especially in the STEM fields. The high demand for skilled professionals ensures that they have promising career prospects ahead.
Source: US Department of State
France
France is welcoming international students by improving work opportunities and streamlining its visa policies, making it a leading European study destination.
Visa fee: In terms of the Schengen region, students looking to move to France long-term will now need to pay EUR 220 for their visa application. However, students with certain scholarships are exempt from this fee.
| Before | Current |
|---|---|
| EUR 99-120 | EUR 220 |
Digitisation of visa process: In order to reduce the visa application time, improve efficiency and tackle security concerns, France is expected to digitise the whole student visa application process this year.
Invaluable work opportunities: In terms of work options, international students will likely be able to work full-time during university holidays and face no limits, which opens opportunities to work in high-demand sectors and gain practical experience.
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Australia
In order to manage migration levels and ensure the integrity of the visa application process, Australia has focused on amending its policies. This ensures genuine student intent and quality outcomes.
Visa fee: In Australia, as of July 2025, the visa fee is AUD 2,000, with key conditions including maintaining enrollment, attendance, and health insurance. Students will need to show additional financial proof, specifically with regard to the cost of living.
| Before | From 1 Jul 2025 |
|---|---|
| AUD 1,600 | AUD 2,000 |
Compliance with visa standards: The Genuine Temporary Entrant or GTE has now been replaced by the Genuine Student or GS, which focuses solely on students complying with the visa requirements, where they need to provide stronger proof of study intent along with academic goals. This fosters a talented community of students and bolsters Australia’s reputation for international education.
CoE: All student visa applications will now require a Confirmation of Enrolment from a recognised university, ensuring a confirmed place and reducing uncertainty. This also holds true for those students applying from within Australia.
Work flexibility: Bachelor students, who could previously work 20 hours per week, can now work for up to 24 hours per week.
Age limit: The maximum age limit for a Temporary Graduate Visa is now 35 years. In order to avoid visa hopping, those students with a visitor visa or a temporary graduate visa, looking to study, will need to apply from their home country.
Restrictions: Due to fraudulent activities and document inconsistencies in the past, there are certain restrictions in applications from certain Indian states such as Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and Uttarakhand. This is a university-level decision and not an official one by the government.
Source: StudyAustralia
As immigration policies shift, they reflect a deeper commitment from leading study destinations to uphold the quality, integrity, and long-term sustainability of their international education systems. For driven students, 2025 opens doors to rewarding academic journeys, backed by clearer guidelines and support. Staying updated and preparing wisely will be key to making the most of these new amendments.
