How Visa Rules Changed, What 2026 May Bring
Image: imperial.ac.uk
10 December 2025
The year 2025 saw one of the biggest shifts in global study visa norms, affecting students planning higher education in Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States
Tighter financial requirements, reduced post-study work windows and new eligibility criteria shaped the choices of thousands of Indian applicants
Canada's long-term cap on study permits continued to influence the higher education landscape through 2025
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The cap led to fewer seats at the master's and doctoral levels and contributed to a visible drop in acceptance rates
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For the UK, 2025 was the year when the Graduate Route visa, previously valid for two years, was reduced to 18 months
The shorter tenure pushed many students to rethink their post-study plans
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Visa fees rose, maintenance-fund requirements increased, and rules on bringing dependants became more restrictive
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The United States moved away from the long-standing "duration-of-status" model in 2025
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Under the revised system, visa validity became tied directly to the length of a student's academic programme
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What 2026 May Bring
Early indications suggest further tightening in 2026
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The UK may introduce additional financial checks and add more controls on dependants and post-study work routes
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The US is likely to standardise fixed-term visas and extend security-screening timelines
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