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Student visas in 2026: what changed in Australia, the US, the UK and Canada

Four of the biggest study destinations have tightened their student visa rules. Australia now rates Bangladesh as highest risk, the US plans shorter stays, the UK limits dependants, and Canada is cutting intake. A plain summary, with what to check before you pay.

••2 min read
Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge across the water on a cloudy day

If you are planning to study abroad, the rules have moved against applicants in all four of the most popular destinations. This summary is based on news reports, not on the governments' own pages, so confirm every figure with the official source before you pay a fee or an agent.

Australia

  • From 8 January 2026, Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Bhutan sit in the highest risk category (Evidence Level 3) under the Simplified Student Visa Framework.
  • Applications from these countries face tougher checks on finances, academic credentials and English proficiency, and processing is expected to take longer.
  • Earlier changes raised the IELTS minimum from 5.5 to 6 and roughly doubled both the visa fee and the savings requirement, according to a Daily Star report.

United States

  • A July 2026 report says the administration is overhauling the F and J visa system, with a maximum stay of four years and a grace period cut from 60 to 30 days after studies end.
  • The rule takes effect 60 days after publication in the Federal Register, so check whether it has been published.
  • Applicants' social media profiles are reportedly being reviewed.
  • Bangladeshi enrolment reached a record above 17,000 in the 2024 Open Doors data, before these changes.

United Kingdom

  • Most students cannot bring dependants under the rules introduced in 2024.
  • Sponsored student visas fell 14% in 2024, with Bangladesh among the largest declines.
  • A proposal would shorten the Graduate visa from two years to 18 months.
  • Bonik Barta reported that several UK universities, including Wolverhampton, Sunderland, Coventry and Hertfordshire, halted admissions from Bangladesh over visa risk. We could not confirm the current status, so ask the university directly.

Canada

Canada's 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan aims to reduce international student intake, with housing and healthcare pressure cited as the reason.

Check before you pay

  1. Read the requirements on the official visa page: the Home Office, IRCC, the Australian Department of Home Affairs, or the US State Department.
  2. Confirm your proof of funds meets the current figure, not last year's.
  3. Ask the university in writing whether it is accepting applicants from Bangladesh this intake.
  4. Do not pay an agent for a guaranteed visa. No agent can promise one.

Looking for work abroad rather than study? Read our guide to overseas jobs and visas.

Cover photo: DXR, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

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