Immigration & visa policy tracker
Student visa, post-study work and permanent-residence updates across the top study destinations — pulled from official sources, in plain English. Filter by country to see what affects your plans.
Jun 2026
Ontario Announces 3 New OINP Pathways for TEER 4/5 Workers Including International Students
Ontario OINP adds 3 new PR pathways covering TEER 4/5 occupations, benefiting international students and work permit holders in food service, hospitality, logistics, manufacturing and nursing. New pathways are live but require EOI system to reopen before applications can be submitted.
Read the official updateMar 2026
Temporary Graduate (Subclass 485) Visa Fee Doubled to AUD 4,600
Under 2026 regulations, the first-instalment visa application charge for the primary applicant of a Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa doubled from AUD 2,300 to AUD 4,600 for applications lodged on or after 1 March 2026.
Read the official updateDec 2025
DHS Final Rule: Weighted (Wage-Based) H-1B Cap Selection Process
DHS issued a final rule replacing the random H-1B cap lottery with a weighted, beneficiary-centric selection that gives higher-wage registrations more entries. Effective February 27, 2026, it applies starting with the FY 2027 H-1B cap registration season. The registration fee is $215.
Read the official updateNov 2025
2026 International Student Cap: 155,000 New Permits, 309,670 Application Ceiling
On November 25, 2025, IRCC announced its 2026 study-permit cap: up to 408,000 permits issued (155,000 new), with a ceiling of 309,670 applications accepted. From January 1, 2026, master's and doctoral students at public DLIs no longer need a PAL/TAL.
Read the official updateOct 2025
Graduate Route Cut to 18 Months from January 2027 (HC 1333)
Statement of Changes HC 1333, laid before Parliament on 14 October 2025, reduces the Graduate Route from two years to 18 months (PhDs remain three years) for applications made on or after 1 January 2027, and introduces an 8,000-per-year cap.
Read the official updateSep 2025
Presidential Proclamation: $100,000 Fee on Certain New H-1B Petitions
President Trump's September 19, 2025 proclamation requires a one-time $100,000 payment to accompany new H-1B petitions for workers outside the U.S., effective September 21, 2025 for 12 months. It does not apply to petitions filed before that time or to existing H-1B holders.
Read the official updateJul 2025
Student Visa (Subclass 500) Application Charge Raised to AUD 2,000
From 1 July 2025 the visa application charge for a primary applicant for the Student visa (subclass 500) and Student Guardian visa (subclass 590) increased from AUD 1,600 to AUD 2,000.
Read the official updateJun 2025
PGWP Field-of-Study Requirement Updated; 920 Eligible Fields for 2025
On June 25, 2025, IRCC updated the PGWP field-of-study list to reflect 2025 Express Entry priorities, adding 119 fields for a total of 920 eligible fields. The requirement applies to non-degree program graduates; bachelor's, master's and doctoral graduates are exempt.
Read the official updateMay 2025
Immigration White Paper: Settlement Period to Rise from 5 to 10 Years (Proposed)
The May 2025 immigration white paper proposed raising the standard qualifying period for settlement (indefinite leave to remain) from five to ten years, alongside the reduced Graduate Route and higher English requirements. This is a proposal, not yet enacted law.
Read the official updateApr 2025
CSCSE Overseas Degree Certification: Process and Requirements
The CSCSE official certification process sets out how returnees obtain recognition of overseas degrees, including verification of transcripts, entry/exit records and prior qualifications via the official online portal; results are issued as an electronic certificate.
Read the official updateApr 2025
CSCSE Releases New Overseas Degree Certification Guide (2025)
On April 8, 2025, the Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange (CSCSE) released an updated Overseas Academic Degree Certification Guide, comprehensively explaining certification rules, procedures and document requirements.
Read the official updateFeb 2025
2025 Express Entry Categories: New Education Category, Transport Removed
On February 27, 2025, IRCC announced revised Express Entry category-based selection for 2025, adding a new Education category and removing Transport. Priority categories are health care and social services, trades, education, and French-language proficiency.
Read the official updateNov 2024
Student Direct Stream (SDS) and Nigeria Student Express Closed
As of November 8, 2024, IRCC ended the Student Direct Stream (SDS) and Nigeria Student Express, the expedited study-permit streams. Applicants must now use the regular study-permit process; the change aims to give all students equal and fair access.
Read the official updateNov 2024
PGWP Eligibility: Field-of-Study Requirement for Non-Degree Programs
Effective for study permit applications submitted on or after November 1, 2024, graduates of non-degree programs must complete a field of study linked to long-term labour shortages to qualify for a PGWP. Degree-program graduates are not subject to this requirement.
Read the official updateMar 2024
Genuine Student (GS) Requirement Replaces Genuine Temporary Entrant
From 23 March 2024 the Genuine Student (GS) requirement replaced the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) test for subclass 500 student visa applications. Unlike GTE, GS does not penalise applicants who may later seek permanent residence.
Read the official updateFeb 2024
Immigration Health Surcharge: GBP776/year (Students), GBP1,035/year Standard
Since 6 February 2024 the Immigration Health Surcharge is GBP776 per year for students, their dependants and Youth Mobility applicants, and GBP1,035 per year for all other applications.
Read the official updateJan 2024
Two-Year Cap on New International Student Study Permits Introduced
On January 22, 2024, IRCC introduced a national intake cap on new study permit applications for two years, expected to yield about 360,000 approved permits in 2024 (down ~35%). Applications also require a provincial/territorial attestation letter; master's, doctoral and K-12 students were exempt.
Read the official updateJan 2024
STEM OPT: 24-Month Extension of Post-Completion OPT for STEM Graduates
F-1 students with a degree in an eligible STEM field may apply for a one-time 24-month extension of post-completion OPT. Requirements include an E-Verify employer, a formal training plan (Form I-983), and at least 20 hours of work per week.
Read the official update