Posted by : Shreya Bhattacharjee

Author Designation : Senior Counselor (Kolkata)

Visa Rule Changes 2024

Studying in a foreign country is a dream of many aspirants. The quality of education, career prospects, and modern developments has attracted applicants from different corners of the world. This has eventually led to the constant evolution of visa requirements. Therefore, aspiring candidates need to get the latest information regarding the major changes in foreign visa policies.

In 2023, the UK recorded the highest number of Indian immigrants moving for higher education in the UK. India is among the top source countries for new migrants to OECD countries. In this article, we tried to cover numerous aspects of visa application for some of the popular study-abroad countries.

Student Visa

A student visa is a temporary residence permit issued by the country's government for study-abroad candidates. It allows foreign students to live and pursue higher studies in their respective countries. Student visas are solely granted for educational purposes for a small duration. Candidates applying for a student visa to foreign countries must have already been accepted to a university or educational institution to qualify for the visa.

Process of getting a Student Visa

The process of applying for a student visa for a study abroad destination has been mentioned in the steps below. Candidates intending to apply for different educational hubs in foreign centers are advised to follow the steps carefully for successful application proceedings.

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

In this blog, we’ll talk about these new visa changes effective from 2024 in simple terms and see how they affect students like you who dream of foreign education. Let’s go through them one by one in countries famous for studying abroad!

New Visa Rules: F1 Visa USA

The USA is a land of opportunities for many study-abroad students. With the establishment of high-quality education, a sophisticated modern lifestyle, and a broad spectrum of career goals, USA has been able to attract a mass student population from every nook and corner of the globe. According to the latest reports of the US State Department-supported Open Doors, India recorded the highest number of student immigrants in the year 2022-2023 which was approximately rounds to 2.68 lakhs.

This mass movement has resulted in revising the existing US student visa rules for the F, M, and J student visa application process to prevent fraud. This article vividly discusses all the major aspects of US new visa rules impacting visitors and aspiring learners. Some primary changes to student visa USA for the year 2024 include

To resist misuse of passports and prevent fraud in the visa appointment system, from November 2023 US government has made the use of students' passport information for visa application mandatory.
While creating a profile and scheduling the visa appointment, all F, M, and J student visa applicants must use their passport information.
Starting January 1st, 2024, the student visa interview waiver programme has been expanded by the US Department of State for certain applicants.
Restrictions have been implemented on “visa hopping” for America student visa.
The working hour limitation for F-1 visa USA holders is revised and restored to 20 hours per week during regular academic sessions.

New Visa Rules: UK Student Visa

Being aware of the recent changes implemented to the England student visa system in January 2024 is the most crucial step for all applicants applying for a temporary visa for higher education. The UK government has reconsidered the guidelines for UK study visa application and the following changes have been made for the forthcoming years:

The existing rules of dependent visa UK have been amended, from now onwards students are prohibited from bringing their dependent family members with them to their study centers.
Restrictions have been put on work visa transition. Students are no longer allowed to switch directly from Student visas to work visas within the UK. Candidates without a postgraduate enrollment must return to their home country to apply for a PSW in UK.
With intentions to study and financial sustainability, the UK student visa greater scrutiny and stricter documentation requirements have been introduced by the UK government on visa applications.

UK government has also revised the UK study visa fees structure for both inside and outside the UK applicants. A comparison table showing the changes in fees is given below. Students can take a detailed analysis of the England study visa fees before applying for the same.

Visa Rules: Study Visa Canada

Getting a Canada students visa is very exciting and challenging in equal measure for international students. From the last quarter of 2023, the Canadian government has implemented multiple changes for students asking for a Canada education visa. This article briefs about the major changes in the student visa in Canada:

Starting from January 1, 2024, Canada's cost-of-living financial requirement has doubled to $20,635. Candidates must show an amount of $20,635 in addition to their first year of tuition and travel costs to be issued a Canada students visa.
From September 2024 semester, Canada will limit visas.
From December 1st, 2023, students applying for a visa must submit their application electronically through the IRCC portal as per the new Canada student visa process.

Canada Student Visa Process: Eligibility

Candidates applying for a study permit Canada must fulfill the following eligibility requirements:

Candidates must enroll at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI).
Students need to demonstrate proper financial proof to cover tuition fees, living expenses, and return travel for themselves.
Meet medical requirements.
Students must have no criminal convictions.
Applicants must demonstrate their English or French language proficiency through standardized tests like IELTS or TEF.

New Visa Rules in 2024: Germany Study Visa

The German government has implemented new Germany student visa rules in phases. The first reform was announced in November and the government intended to address the labor shortage in the country in its latest visa reforms in March and June 2024. The primary changes in the new visa policy of Germany are as follows:

As per the new reform, candidates are allowed to bring their dependent family members along with them.
The new German study visa rules have expanded student work hours to 20 hours, offering more financial flexibility.
From March and June 2024, the Skilled Immigration Act provisions are expected to be rolled out offering a wide range of study opportunities in Germany among skilled professionals.
The German visa application process is expected to shift to a digital platform shortly from the paper-based process.

New Rules for Australia Student Visa 2024

From December 15, 2023, rules for attaining a student’s visa Australia have been tightened by the Australian government for international students and low-skilled workers. These changes are primarily implemented to control immigration to Australia. Some of the major changes have been appointed in the fields of “visa hopping” and prolonged stay, and work hours. Some of the reforms made by the government authorities are as follows:

The student visa Australia application fee has been increased. However, the exact amount has not been confirmed by the government yet.
The duration of post-study work rights under the 485 visa Australia has been reduced.
The Australia study visa requirements of IELTS scores for Student visa applicants have increased from 5.5 to 6.0, and for the Temporary Graduate visa from 6.0 to 6.5.
A 17% increase has been raised in the minimum cost-of-living financial requirement of Australian students.

Conclusion

The recent visa changes in Canada, Germany, Usa, Australia, and the UK reflect a strategic shift in managing foreign education. These policies aim to balance the benefits of hosting international students with the capacity of public resources and the integrity of educational systems. Remember to stay informed by checking official sources for the most accurate and up-to-date information on visa rules!

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