The importance of international students to study-abroad destinations has been increasingly highlighted in policies announced in 2023, covering economic, workforce, and cultural diversity aspects. However, 2024 brings changes to study-abroad policies across various countries.
Enhanced Protections for International Students
To attract international students during the pandemic, countries like Australia, Canada, and the UK relaxed many study-abroad policies, including visas, work rights, and immigration opportunities. However, the surge in international student numbers post-border reopening has led to issues like housing crises and educational exploitation. This has forced these countries to tighten policies to safeguard student interests.
Specifically, Australia has increased financial proof requirements, removed dual study options, and ended the Covid-19 visa. The UK now bans international students from switching to work visas before completing their studies. Meanwhile, Canada mandates that schools directly verify international students’ admission letters with immigration authorities instead of just issuing admission letters.
Contrasting these top study-abroad destinations, some Nordic countries have long viewed international students as contributors to diversity, offering low-cost education. However, shifting political views have led Norway and Finland to decide on increasing tuition fees for non-EU students in 2023, as reported by The PIE News.
Germany, on the other hand, is considered a “paradise” for international students, welcoming a record number thanks to low tuition fees and attractive job options after graduation. The US remains relatively silent on policy changes, making it the only country where education managers are pushing for more government intervention, such as a national strategy.
In the Southern Hemisphere, New Zealand struggles to restore its international student numbers to pre-pandemic levels due to prolonged border closures. However, this situation might change next year, as the new government promises to expand work rights, speed up visa processing, and allow international students to settle post-graduation.
New Regulations Effective from 2024
Australia’s Policy Changes
Australia is focusing on reducing immigration, with notable changes including stricter English language requirements starting in 2024. Applicants will need an IELTS score of 6.0 (or equivalent) instead of 5.5 for student visa applications and 6.5 instead of 6.0 for post-graduate work visas. For English language programs or university foundation courses, the requirements are IELTS 5.0 and 5.5, respectively.
Additionally, Australia will replace the study plan statement in visa applications with an exam for genuine students and aims to simplify post-graduation work visas while scrutinizing second visa applications more closely to prevent visa “hopping.” The post-graduation work period for master’s by coursework will be reduced to 2 years, and for doctoral degrees, it will be shortened to 3 years.
United Kingdom’s Updates
From January 2024, only international students enrolled in research master’s or Ph.D. programs in the UK will be allowed to bring dependents. The UK government is also raising the skilled worker visa requirements and reviewing post-graduation work visas. The minimum salary requirement for foreign workers to apply for a skilled worker visa will increase to £38,700 per year. Additionally, the post-graduation work visa duration may be reduced to 6 months, down from up to 3 years.
Canada’s New Requirements
International students in Canada will now need to demonstrate having CAD 20,635 available funds for a study permit, doubling from the previous requirement of CAD 10,000. This change takes effect from January 1, 2024. Canadian schools are also advised to issue acceptance letters only if they can provide housing for international students. Additionally, students can work without limitations until April 30, 2024.
Admission Policy Updates in Other Countries
From the spring intake of 2024, universities in South Korea will no longer require international students to submit essays, self-introductions, or study plans and will relax language requirements. In China, many universities are now requiring proof of financial capability and HSK Level 4 certification in Chinese, which was previously rare.
(References: thanhnien.vn)
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