The UK is making significant changes to its immigration system, replacing Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) with digital e-Visas by the end of 2024. Here’s what you need to know: 1. BRP Expiry Date Starting December 31, 2024, all BRP cards will expire. If you currently use a BRP to prove your immigration status, it’s important to prepare for the transition. 2. Accessing Your e-Visa To prove your immigration status after December 31, you will need to use the UKVI’s online system. This requires creating a UKVI account on the official UK government website, where you can access your digital e-Visa. 3. No New BRPs From January 1, 2025, the UK government will no longer issue BRP cards. Digital e-Visas will become the sole method of verifying your immigration status. This update will impact many international students and residents, particularly those from India and other countries who currently rely on BRPs.…

Canada continues to adapt its policies for international students, with several critical updates in November and December 2024. Here’s what you need to know: 1. End of SDS and NSE Programs As of November 8, 2024, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has officially ended the Student Direct Stream (SDS) and Nigeria Student Express (NSE) programs. These changes could impact students relying on these pathways for expedited visa processing. It’s essential to explore alternative routes and stay updated on the latest requirements. 2. Increased Work Hours for International Students Exciting news for international students! Starting November 8, 2024, you can now work 24 hours per week off-campus during classes, up from the previous limit of 20 hours. This increase allows students to better manage their finances while pursuing their studies. 3. Canada Embassy Fee Increase Beginning December 1, 2024, the Canada Embassy has revised visa fees: Study Visa: From $150…

Student Visa Fees Increase From October 1, 2024, the student visa fee in New Zealand will rise from NZD 375 to NZD 750 to cover processing costs. Early Applications Recommended Apply for a New Zealand student visa at least three months before your start date to account for longer processing times from October to February. Missing Documents New Zealand Immigration will not notify you of missing documents; incomplete applications may be declined if essential information is missing. Visa Processing Times Visa processing times for international students vary by education provider and are updated monthly. Visa Waivers Certain countries have agreements with New Zealand that waive student visa fees.

Student Visa Fees Increase From October 1, 2024, the student visa fee in New Zealand will rise from NZD 375 to NZD 750 to cover processing costs. Early Applications Recommended Apply for a New Zealand student visa at least three months before your start date to account for longer processing times from October to February. Missing Documents New Zealand Immigration will not notify you of missing documents; incomplete applications may be declined if essential information is missing. Visa Processing Times Visa processing times for international students vary by education provider and are updated monthly. Visa Waivers Certain countries have agreements with New Zealand that waive student visa fees.

Cap on International Student Enrollments Australia has set a cap of 270,000 international students for 2025, down from 561,000 in 2023, to manage migration and rental pressures. Visa Fee Increase The visa fee for international students rose from $710 to $1,600 as of July 1, 2024, to support new educational initiatives. Updated Migration Strategy Australia’s updated Migration Strategy includes a Workplace Justice Visa Pilot, higher Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT), and changes to Temporary Graduate Visas.

Updated Financial Requirements for International Students Starting January 2, 2025, international students planning to study in the UK will need to meet revised financial requirements. For those studying in London, proof of having £1,483 per month in savings will be necessary. This new amount reflects an increase from the current requirement of £1,334 per month. For students attending institutions outside of London, the required monthly savings will be £1,136. This is up from the existing requirement of £1,023 per month. These changes aim to better align financial requirements with the cost of living across different regions. Graduate Visa Review A review of the Graduate visa, a two-year unsponsored work permit for overseas graduates, is underway to check for potential system abuse. Spouse/Partner Visa Minimum Income Requirement The minimum income required to sponsor someone for a spouse/partner visa has increased from £18,600 to £29,000. Social Care Workers’ Visa Restrictions Social care…

Immigration Levels Plan 2025–2027 Canada plans to reduce temporary residents from 6.5% to 5% of the total population in the 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan, to be released by November 1, 2024. Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) Eligibility Graduates from public colleges will remain eligible for a PGWP of up to three years if their program is linked to occupations facing long-term shortages. Language Proficiency Requirement for PGWP All PGWP applicants must demonstrate a minimum language proficiency in English or French, with a CLB level 7 for university graduates and CLB 5 for college graduates, starting November 1, 2024. Study Permit Intake Cap for Graduate Students The 2025–2026 study permit intake cap will include master’s and doctoral students, who must submit a provincial or territorial attestation letter, with 12% of spaces reserved for these students. Updated Cost-of-Living Requirement for Study Permit Applicants Starting January 1, 2024, study permit applicants must meet updated…

“Updates to English Language Proficiency Requirements”   Effective December 11, 2023, the Australian Government announced revisions to the English language proficiency criteria for applicants seeking Student and Temporary Graduate visas. These changes, implemented in early 2024, elevate the required scores for both visa categories:   For Student visas, the minimum score will rise from 5.5 to 6.0. Temporary Graduate visa applicants will now be required to achieve a minimum score of 6.5, up from the previous requirement of 6.0.   These adjustments reflect the government’s commitment to maintaining high standards of language proficiency among visa holders, ensuring better integration and success in academic and professional endeavors within Australia.         “Introducing the Genuine Student Requirement for Australian Student Visa Applications”   As of March 23, 2024, Australia’s Genuine Temporary Entrant requirement has been replaced by the Genuine Student requirement (GS) in the student visa application process. This new…

  Update on UK Student Visa Policy: Changes Affecting Postgraduate Research Students   As of January 2024, a significant amendment has been made to the UK student visa policy. International students enrolled in postgraduate research programs will no longer be permitted to bring their dependents and family members to the country. However, it’s crucial to emphasize that this rule excludes Master of Research (MRes) and Doctorate program students.   Important Update: Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) Increase   Effective February 6, 2024, there will be an increase in the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) for Student route and Graduate route applications.   For Student route applications and Student route dependent applications submitted on or after February 6, 2024, the IHS fee will be £776 per applicant, per year of permission applied for. This is an increase from the current fee of £470 for Student route applicants.   Similarly, for Graduate route applications…

  “Important Update: Revised GIC (Guaranteed Investment Certificate) Amount for International Students in Canada   Effective January 1, 2024, the Government of Canada has updated the Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) requirement for international students. The new GIC amount is CAD 20,635 (approximately INR 12,71,619), replacing the previous requirement of CAD 10,000 (approximately INR 616,244). This change ensures that students have sufficient financial support during their stay in Canada.   “Attention International Students: Mandatory Requirement for Canada Student Visa The Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) is now a mandatory requirement. This letter verifies that your enrollment aligns with the specified allocation according to a province or territory of Canada. Ensuring compliance with this requirement is crucial for your visa application process.   Temporary Federal Cap on International Student Intake   In 2024, the number of approved study permits is anticipated to decrease by 35% compared to 2023, totaling 360,000. The cap for…