Study abroad n⁠e⁠w⁠s

Ireland: IRP card renewals take 6–9 weeks, apply early before tra⁠v⁠e⁠l

Announced by irishimmigration⁠.⁠i⁠e / Oct 29, 2026 | Checked on the official page Oc⁠t⁠ ⁠3⁠1

New

#Ireland#Visas 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.

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, 2026 | Checked on the official page Oc⁠t⁠ ⁠3⁠0

New

#United States#Visas 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.

UK: Buckinghamshire New University's Student sponsor licence suspen⁠d⁠e⁠d

Announced by UK Government (GOV.⁠U⁠K⁠) / Sep 30, 2026 | Checked on the official page Oc⁠t⁠ ⁠3⁠0

#United Kingdom#Visas and ru⁠l⁠e⁠s

On 30 September 2026, the Home Office suspended Buckinghamshire New University's Student sponsor licence. The suspension took effect immediately, and the licence will be revoked if the university does not show it should be reinstated. Please check the official announcement for the latest informati⁠o⁠n⁠.

US ESTA fee rises to USD 40.62 from 16 October 2⁠0⁠2⁠6

Published in Federal Register (⁠U⁠S⁠) / Oct 1, 2026 | Checked on the official page Oc⁠t⁠ ⁠3⁠0

New

#United States#Visas 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.

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, 2026 | Checked on the official page Oc⁠t⁠ ⁠3⁠0

New

#South Korea#Visas 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.

US extends H-⁠1B entry restriction requiring a $100,000 payment for 12 more mon⁠t⁠h⁠s

Published in Federal Register (⁠U⁠S⁠) / Sep 18, 2026 | Checked on the official page Oc⁠t⁠ ⁠3⁠0

#United States#Visas and ru⁠l⁠e⁠s

A presidential proclamation dated September 18, 2026 extends the H-1B entry restriction that began in 2025. Entry of people outside the US is restricted unless the petition is accompanied by a $100,000 payment. Please check the official announcement for the latest informati⁠o⁠n⁠.

Plan

Australia Working Holiday: ballot planned for second- and third-⁠year visas, no start d⁠a⁠t⁠e

Announced by Minister for Home Affairs (Austral⁠i⁠a⁠) / Sep 17, 2026 | Checked on the official page Oc⁠t⁠ ⁠2⁠4

#Australia#Visas and ru⁠l⁠e⁠s

On 17 September 2026, Australia's Minister for Home Affairs announced a plan to introduce a ballot system for second- and third-year Working Holiday visas, while keeping the regional work requirement. The start date and how the ballot will work have not been published y⁠e⁠t⁠.

Philippines: travellers reminded to register on eTravel before arri⁠v⁠a⁠l

Announced by Bureau of Immigration Philippines (⁠B⁠I⁠) / Oct 5, 2026 | Checked on the official page Oc⁠t⁠ ⁠2⁠4

New

#Philippines#Visas 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.

Import⁠a⁠n⁠t

Australia Student visa: most temporary holders can't apply onshore from 2 October 2⁠0⁠2⁠6

Announced by Department of Home Affairs (Austral⁠i⁠a⁠) / Oct 2, 2026 | Checked on the official page Oc⁠t⁠ ⁠2⁠4

New

#Australia#Visas 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.

Import⁠a⁠n⁠t

Canada Working Holiday: 2026 intake closed; no invitation means re-⁠registering for 2⁠0⁠2⁠7

Announced by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IR⁠C⁠C⁠) / Oct 19, 2026 | Checked on the official page Oc⁠t⁠ ⁠2⁠4

New

#Canada#Visas 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.

Import⁠a⁠n⁠tApplies in 30 d⁠a⁠y⁠s

UK Student visa: higher living-⁠cost funds from 30 November 2026 (London £1,570 a mon⁠t⁠h⁠)

Announced by UK Government (GOV.⁠U⁠K⁠) / Sep 3, 2026 | Checked on the official page Oc⁠t⁠ ⁠2⁠4

#United Kingdom#Visas and ru⁠l⁠e⁠s

The UK Home Office will raise the maintenance (proof of funds) amounts for Student visa applications from 30 November 2026: from GBP 1,529 to GBP 1,570 per month for study in London, and from GBP 1,171 to GBP 1,203 per month outside London. Applications made before 30 November will be decided under the previous rul⁠e⁠s⁠.

Import⁠a⁠n⁠tApplies in 16 d⁠a⁠y⁠s

New Zealand launches a 6-⁠month work visa for graduates on 16 November 2⁠0⁠2⁠6

Announced by Immigration New Zealand (I⁠N⁠Z⁠) / Sep 10, 2026 | Checked on the official page Oc⁠t⁠ ⁠2⁠4

#New Zealand#Visas and ru⁠l⁠e⁠s

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) announced that it will open applications for the new Short-Term Graduate Work Visa on 16 November 2026. The visa gives international students who completed an NZQCF level 5 to 7 qualification 6 months of open work rights. Eligibility for the Post-Study Work Visa will also expand on the same d⁠a⁠y⁠.

Japan: visa extension and change fees now vary by length of stay from 1 October 2⁠0⁠2⁠6

Announced by Immigration Services Agency of Ja⁠p⁠a⁠n / Aug 28, 2026 | Checked on the official page Oc⁠t⁠ ⁠2⁠4

#Japan#Visas and ru⁠l⁠e⁠s

Japan's Immigration Services Agency revised the fees for change of status of residence, extension of period of stay and permanent residence from 1 October 2026. Fees for changes and extensions, which used to be a flat amount, now depend on the length of the period of stay granted. This affects international students and foreign workers in Japan when they renew or change their vi⁠s⁠a⁠.