What Are the New Visa Regulations in 2024 for Popular Destinations - Find Out the Latest Updates on Visa Policies for International Students

Studying abroad is a dream of many who aspire to pursue educational opportunities, explore modern developments, and enhance their career prospects. Consequently, there has been a continuous evolution of visa requirements in various countries. It is important that you stay updated with the most recent information regarding the significant changes in foreign visa policies. Significant changes have taken place in the visa application process across popular countries such as the USA, UK, Canada and Australia.

In this blog, our aim is to comprehensively cover various aspects of visa applications for popular study abroad destinations.

Understanding Student Visas

A student visa refers to a temporary residence permit issued by the government of a respective country, allowing foreign students to reside and pursue higher studies. Student visas are specifically granted for educational purposes within a limited time frame. Candidates intending to apply for a student visa must have already received acceptance into a university or educational institution that meets the criteria for visa qualification.

Obtaining a Student Visa

The step-by-step process for applying for a student visa in a study abroad destination is as follows. It is advised that if you wish to apply to different educational hubs in foreign countries, you should carefully follow these steps for a successful application process:

• Apply for a study programme.
• Schedule an appointment at the embassy or consulate.
• Gather all the necessary documents.
• Make the required visa payment.
• Attend the student visa interview.

Updates on Visa Rules: F1 Visa USA

The United States provides abundant opportunities for students studying abroad. With its quality education, modern lifestyle, and diverse career prospects, USA attracts a considerable number of students from around the world. According to reports from the US State Department-supported Open Doors, India accounted for the highest number of student immigrants during the 2022-2023 academic year, reaching approximately 268,000.

The influx of students has prompted revisions to the existing student visa rules in the USA, specifically for the F, M, and J visa categories, in order to combat fraud. This article provides comprehensive insights into the major aspects of the USA's new visa rules and their impact on visitors and aspiring learners. Notable changes to the student visa rules for the USA in 2024 include:

• Implementation of mandatory usage of students' passport information for visa applications, aiming to prevent passport misuse and visa appointment fraud starting from November 2023.
• Requirement for F, M, and J visa applicants to utilize their passport information when creating a profile and scheduling a visa appointment.
• Expansion of the student visa interview waiver program by the US Department of State for certain applicants, effective from January 1st, 2024.
• Implementation of restrictions on "visa hopping" for American student visas.
• Revision of the working hour limitation for F-1 visa holders in the USA, restoring it to 20 hours per week during regular academic sessions.

New Visa Rules: UK Student Visa

Understanding the recent changes introduced to the UK student visa system in January 2024 is vital for all applicants seeking temporary visas for higher education. The UK government has reviewed the guidelines for UK study visa applications, resulting in the following changes for the upcoming years:

• Prohibition of bringing dependent family members along for students under the dependent visa UK category.
• Introduction of restrictions on transitioning directly from a student visa to a work visa within the UK. Candidates without postgraduate enrolment must return to their home country to apply for a PSW (Post-Study Work) visa.
• Introduction of greater scrutiny and stricter documentation requirements for UK student visas, emphasising intentions to study and financial sustainability.
• Revision of the UK study visa fee structure for both applicants within and outside the UK.

Visa Rules: Canadian Study Visa

Obtaining a study visa for Canada can be an exciting yet challenging process for international students. The Canadian government has implemented multiple changes for students applying for a Canada education visa since the last quarter of 2023. The key changes include:

• Doubling of Canada's cost-of-living financial requirement to $20,635, in addition to the first year of tuition and travel costs. Applicants must demonstrate this amount to be issued a Canada student visa.
• Introducing limitations on visas starting from the September 2024 semester.
• Implementation of an electronic submission requirement for visa applications through the IRCC portal, effective from December 1st, 2023.
• Candidates applying for a study permit in Canada must fulfill certain eligibility requirements, including enrolment at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI), financial proof covering tuition fees and living expenses, meeting medical requirements, having no criminal convictions, and demonstrating proficiency in English or French through standardised language tests.

New Rules for Australia Student Visa 2024

The Australian government has implemented stricter regulations for international students and low-skilled workers aiming to obtain an Australian student visa. These changes primarily aim to control immigration to Australia. The key reforms introduced are as follows:

• An increase in the application fee for the student visa Australia. However, the exact amount has not yet been confirmed by the government.
• Reduction in the duration of post-study work rights under the 485 visa Australia.
• Raising the IELTS score requirements for both the student visa and Temporary Graduate visa applicants.
• Raising the minimum cost-of-living financial requirement for Australian students by 17%.

Relevant resources can provide detailed information regarding these changes and additional guidelines for applicants.

Conclusion

Hope this blog gave you the information you were looking for, you may follow our blogs for all the latest updates. MWT Education Consultancy has helped thousands of students migrate abroad and can help you too. Get in touch with our experts for further information.