Skip to main content

Study abroad n⁠e⁠w⁠s

Visas, schools, life overseas: what you should know before you⁠ ⁠g⁠o⁠.

Coun⁠t⁠r⁠y

To⁠p⁠i⁠c

Importa⁠n⁠c⁠e

Per⁠i⁠o⁠d

Last 30 d⁠a⁠y⁠s

9 artic⁠l⁠e⁠s・Newest fi⁠r⁠s⁠t

Clear all filt⁠e⁠r⁠s

Ireland: IRP card renewals take 6–9 weeks, apply early before tra⁠v⁠e⁠l
Announced by irishimmigration⁠.⁠i⁠eOct 29, 2026Checked on the official page Oc⁠t⁠ ⁠3⁠1
New
IrelandVisas and ru⁠l⁠e⁠s
On 29 October 2026, Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) said renewing an IRP card currently takes 6–9 weeks. The Minister is urging eligible people whose permission expires before departure or during travel over the holiday period to apply online as soon as possible. Please check the official announcement for the latest informati⁠o⁠n⁠.
On 29 October 2026, Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) said renewing an IRP card currently takes 6–9 weeks. The Minister is urging eligible people whose permission expires before departure or during travel over the holiday period to apply online as soon as possible. Please check the official announcement for the latest informati⁠o⁠n⁠.
About Irel⁠a⁠n⁠d
Propo⁠s⁠a⁠lDeadline in 9 d⁠a⁠y⁠s
US proposes a USD 70,000 per-⁠student fee that schools would pay for⁠ ⁠O⁠P⁠T
Published in Federal Register (⁠U⁠S⁠)Oct 7, 2026Checked on the official page Oc⁠t⁠ ⁠3⁠0
New
United StatesVisas and ru⁠l⁠e⁠s
On 7 October 2026, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a proposed rule to introduce new fees for Optional Practical Training (OPT), which lets F-1 students work during or after their studies. Under the proposal, the school would pay USD 70,000 per student for initial OPT and USD 30,000 for any subsequent OPT, and the school's DSO could not recommend OPT until the fee is paid. It is only a proposal and has not been finalised; comments are accepted until 9 November 20⁠2⁠6⁠.
On 7 October 2026, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a proposed rule to introduce new fees for Optional Practical Training (OPT), which lets F-1 students work during or after their studies. Under the proposal, the school would pay USD 70,000 per student for initial OPT and USD 30,000 for any subsequent OPT, and the school's DSO could not recommend OPT until the fee is paid. It is only a proposal and has not been finalised; comments are accepted until 9 November 20⁠2⁠6⁠.
About United Sta⁠t⁠e⁠s
US ESTA fee rises to USD 40.62 from 16 October 2⁠0⁠2⁠6
Published in Federal Register (⁠U⁠S⁠)Oct 1, 2026Checked on the official page Oc⁠t⁠ ⁠3⁠0
New
United StatesVisas and ru⁠l⁠e⁠s
In the Federal Register of 1 October 2026, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) gave notice that the ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) fee will be adjusted for inflation. The fee for an approved ESTA rises from USD 40.27 to USD 40.62, and the new fee applies from 16 October 2026, 15 days after publicati⁠o⁠n⁠.
In the Federal Register of 1 October 2026, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) gave notice that the ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) fee will be adjusted for inflation. The fee for an approved ESTA rises from USD 40.27 to USD 40.62, and the new fee applies from 16 October 2026, 15 days after publicati⁠o⁠n⁠.
About United Sta⁠t⁠e⁠s
Applies in 3 d⁠a⁠y⁠s
Canada Express Entry: extra points for high-⁠wage jobs from 3 November 2⁠0⁠2⁠6
Announced by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IR⁠C⁠C⁠)Oct 16, 2026Checked on the official page Oc⁠t⁠ ⁠3⁠0
New
CanadaPermanent residence & migrat⁠i⁠o⁠n
On 16 October 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced changes to Express Entry, Canada's permanent residence selection system. From 3 November 2026, additional CRS points will be awarded for Canadian work experience in high-wage occupations and for high-wage job offers, and eligible job offers will no longer need an LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessmen⁠t⁠)⁠.
On 16 October 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced changes to Express Entry, Canada's permanent residence selection system. From 3 November 2026, additional CRS points will be awarded for Canadian work experience in high-wage occupations and for high-wage job offers, and eligible job offers will no longer need an LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessmen⁠t⁠)⁠.
About Can⁠a⁠d⁠a
Plan
Korea plans to waive proof of funds for student visas at TOPIK level 4+; no start d⁠a⁠t⁠e
Announced by Ministry of Justice (Kor⁠e⁠a⁠)Oct 7, 2026Checked on the official page Oc⁠t⁠ ⁠3⁠0
New
South KoreaVisas and ru⁠l⁠e⁠s
On 7 October 2026, Korea's Ministry of Justice announced plans to reform the visa system for international students, including waiving proof of funds for people with strong Korean skills and changing the criteria for part-time work permission. Many items are still at the planning or preparation stage, and specific start dates have not been s⁠e⁠t⁠.
On 7 October 2026, Korea's Ministry of Justice announced plans to reform the visa system for international students, including waiving proof of funds for people with strong Korean skills and changing the criteria for part-time work permission. Many items are still at the planning or preparation stage, and specific start dates have not been s⁠e⁠t⁠.
About South Ko⁠r⁠e⁠a
Philippines: travellers reminded to register on eTravel before arri⁠v⁠a⁠l
Announced by Bureau of Immigration Philippines (⁠B⁠I⁠)Oct 5, 2026Checked on the official page Oc⁠t⁠ ⁠2⁠4
New
PhilippinesVisas and ru⁠l⁠e⁠s
On 5 October 2026, the Philippine Bureau of Immigration (BI) reminded people arriving in the Philippines, including foreign travellers, to register or update their eTravel information. BI says foreign nationals who give false information may be refused ent⁠r⁠y⁠.
On 5 October 2026, the Philippine Bureau of Immigration (BI) reminded people arriving in the Philippines, including foreign travellers, to register or update their eTravel information. BI says foreign nationals who give false information may be refused ent⁠r⁠y⁠.
About Philippi⁠n⁠e⁠s
Import⁠a⁠n⁠t
Australia Student visa: most temporary holders can't apply onshore from 2 October 2⁠0⁠2⁠6
Announced by Department of Home Affairs (Austral⁠i⁠a⁠)Oct 2, 2026Checked on the official page Oc⁠t⁠ ⁠2⁠4
New
AustraliaVisas and ru⁠l⁠e⁠s
From 2 October 2026, Australia changed the application rules for the Student visa (subclass 500). Most temporary visa holders, including Working Holiday visa holders, can no longer apply for a Student visa from inside Australia. Including family members (partner and children) in a Student visa application is also no longer possible in most cas⁠e⁠s⁠.
From 2 October 2026, Australia changed the application rules for the Student visa (subclass 500). Most temporary visa holders, including Working Holiday visa holders, can no longer apply for a Student visa from inside Australia. Including family members (partner and children) in a Student visa application is also no longer possible in most cas⁠e⁠s⁠.
About Austra⁠l⁠i⁠a
Import⁠a⁠n⁠t
Canada Working Holiday: 2026 intake closed; no invitation means re-⁠registering for 2⁠0⁠2⁠7
Announced by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IR⁠C⁠C⁠)Oct 19, 2026Checked on the official page Oc⁠t⁠ ⁠2⁠4
New
CanadaVisas and ru⁠l⁠e⁠s
IRCC has closed the application pools for the 2026 season of International Experience Canada (IEC), which includes the Working Holiday category. The official page says "The pools for the 2026 season are closed." Profiles of people who did not receive an invitation (ITA) will be removed, and they will need to register again for the 2027 seas⁠o⁠n⁠.
IRCC has closed the application pools for the 2026 season of International Experience Canada (IEC), which includes the Working Holiday category. The official page says "The pools for the 2026 season are closed." Profiles of people who did not receive an invitation (ITA) will be removed, and they will need to register again for the 2027 seas⁠o⁠n⁠.
About Can⁠a⁠d⁠a
Import⁠a⁠n⁠t
UK: BSC Education language schools close at five locati⁠o⁠n⁠s
Announced by Englis⁠h⁠ ⁠U⁠KOct 7, 2026Checked on the official page Oc⁠t⁠ ⁠2⁠4
New
United KingdomSchool closures & accreditat⁠i⁠o⁠n
BSC Education has ceased trading and entered liquidation, and its five UK schools in London, Brighton, Manchester, Edinburgh and York have closed. English UK is helping affected students find new courses through its Student Emergency Support sche⁠m⁠e⁠.
BSC Education has ceased trading and entered liquidation, and its five UK schools in London, Brighton, Manchester, Edinburgh and York have closed. English UK is helping affected students find new courses through its Student Emergency Support sche⁠m⁠e⁠.
About United King⁠d⁠o⁠m