Study Abroad Rule Changes 2026: US, UK, Canada and Australia in One Table

By Chandra Sekhar

Last updated: 13 Oct 2026 · Official government sources only

Rules for studying abroad changed a lot in 2026. Australia now limits who can apply for a student visa from inside the country (from 2 Oct 2026). The UK Graduate visa drops from 2 years to 18 months for applications made from 1 Jan 2027. Canada caps study permit applications at 309,670 for 2026. The US has proposed a $70,000 fee for OPT work permission. Here’s what changed, with the official link for each.

The one-table summary

Australia: what changed on 2 Oct 2026?

• Most temporary visa holders can no longer apply for a student visa (subclass 500) while in Australia. This includes Working Holiday Maker and Skills in Demand visa holders.
• Student visa holders generally can’t apply for another student visa onshore unless an exemption applies.
• Exemptions: students sponsored by Australia’s foreign affairs (DFAT) or defence departments; doctoral or school study; your provider can’t deliver your course; up to 12 extra months to finish with the same provider; and moving up to a higher-level course after finishing your main course.
• If you have to apply from outside Australia, you must also be outside Australia when the visa is granted. If you already hold a student visa, it isn’t affected.

UK: what’s changing?

• Graduate visa: 2 years if you apply on or before 31 Dec 2026. 18 months if you apply on or after 1 Jan 2027. PhD or doctoral graduates get 3 years. The application fee is £937, plus the healthcare surcharge (usually £1,035 a year), as listed on GOV.UK.
• Money for living costs: currently £1,529 a month in London and £1,171 outside London, for up to 9 months, held for at least 28 days in a row.
• Reported increase: news reports say the figures rise to £1,570 (London) and £1,203 (outside) for applications from 30 Nov 2026, under the Statement of Changes of 3 Sep 2026 (Economic Times). Check GOV.UK before you apply.

Canada: how does the 2026 cap work?

• IRCC accepts up to 309,670 study permit applications that need a PAL/TAL between 1 Jan and 31 Dec 2026. Ontario has 104,780 of these spaces and Quebec 93,069.
• An application without a valid 2026 PAL/TAL isn’t processed, and the fee is returned.
• Master’s and PhD students at public designated learning institutions don’t need a PAL/TAL from 1 Jan 2026.
• Each province shares out its spaces among its institutions. Ask your college whether it can issue you a PAL.

US: what’s proposed, and what isn’t?

• Proposed only: a $70,000 initial OPT fee and $30,000 for later OPT, paid by the school before it recommends you. It would start 60 days after a final rule. Comments close 9 Nov 2026. See our full explainer: US OPT fee proposal.
• Duration of status: news reports say a court order has paused the planned fixed-term stay rule for F-1 students, and DHS has appealed. We couldn’t confirm the court documents, so check with your university’s international office.

What should you do now?

1. Note the dates that affect you. Applying for a UK Graduate visa before 1 Jan 2027 gets you 2 years instead of 18 months.
2. Recalculate your costs, including any change to the money you must show, the visa fee and the health surcharge.
3. Ask universities direct questions about PAL availability in Canada and their OPT policy in the US.
4. Compare options in India too: PhD admissions, UGC NET JRF and research internships.
5. Use only official sources and licensed advisers. Visa-guarantee agents are a common scam. See how to spot fakes.

FAQs

How long is the UK Graduate visa in 2027?
18 months if you apply on or after 1 Jan 2027, or 2 years if you apply by 31 Dec 2026. PhD graduates get 3 years.

Can I extend my Australian student visa from inside Australia?
Usually not, from 2 Oct 2026, unless an exemption applies, such as needing up to 12 extra months with the same provider or moving to a higher-level course.

Do master’s students need a PAL for Canada in 2026?
Not if they’re enrolled at a public designated learning institution. Others generally do.

Is the US OPT $70,000 fee final?
No. It’s a proposal, and comments close on 9 Nov 2026.

How much money do I need for a UK student visa?
Currently £1,529 a month in London or £1,171 outside London, for up to 9 months. Reports say the amounts rise from 30 Nov 2026, so check GOV.UK.

Sources (official)

• Study Australia: student visa changes, October 2026
• GOV.UK: Graduate visa · Student visa: money
• Canada.ca: 2026 allocations under the international student cap
• Federal Register: OPT fees proposed rule

What’s next

• 9 Nov: US OPT comments close · 30 Nov: reported UK maintenance increase · 1 Jan 2027: UK Graduate visa becomes 18 months
• We update this table monthly.

Related: US OPT fee explainer · PhD admissions in India · Free AI tools for students

Get a monthly study-abroad rules update: subscribe to Campus Reality alerts.