Immigration Crackdown: International Students Face New Barriers Across Top Destinations

United Kingdom:
 

• Graduate Route Visa Shortened: The post-study work visa will be reduced from two years to 18 months for undergraduates, master’s, and PhD students, leaving less time to secure skilled employment after graduation.
• Levy on Universities: A new financial levy on university earnings from international tuition will fund domestic skills training—potentially driving up tuition fees for overseas students.
• Stricter University Compliance: Universities must meet higher enrolment and completion targets, with a new red/amber/green rating system. Those falling short risk losing their ability to sponsor international students.
• Dependent Visa Ban: Only PhD and research-based postgraduate students can bring dependents, a rule extended from 2024.
• Longer Path to Settlement: Most migrants will now need 10 years (up from 5) to qualify for permanent residency, with few exceptions.
• Tougher English Requirements: Higher language proficiency will be needed for work visas.

• Visa Suspensions and Revocations: The Trump administration has halted new student visa interviews and begun revoking visas—especially for Chinese students and those in sensitive fields—citing national security.
• Increased Scrutiny: Visa decisions are now more subjective, and students face heightened social media checks and arbitrary evaluations.
• Legal Uncertainty: Ongoing lawsuits and injunctions have created a climate of fear and confusion for current and prospective students.

• Study Permit Cap: Canada has slashed study permits by 40%, aiming to reduce temporary residents to under 5% of the population by 2027.
• Work and Spousal Restrictions: Foreign students now face stricter work hour limits and tighter spousal work permit rules.
• Rising Asylum Claims: Over 5,500 international students sought asylum in early 2025, up 22% from 2024, reflecting growing uncertainty.

• Higher Visa Fees and Eligibility Barriers: Visa fees have increased and eligibility tightened, with a focus on curbing permanent migration and preventing misuse of student visas.
• Crackdown on “Ghost Colleges”: Authorities target institutions enrolling students primarily for visa purposes, aiming to protect the integrity of the education system.