THE POLICIES OF IMMIGRATION TO CANADA, AUSTRALIA AND UK
THE POLICIES OF IMMIGRATION TO CANADA, AUSTRALIA AND UK, AND THEIR POTENTIAL POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE EFFECTS ON INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
Canada and Australia are among the top destinations for students who want to study abroad. Canada is the world’s third-leading destination for international students to get a higher education degree. With 807,750 study permit holders in higher education by 2022.
According to the latest annual report of the OECD, international students make up 26% of all tertiary enrolment in Australia.
On December 8, 2023, Canada’s immigration minister announced a slew of new requirements for foreign students wanting to come study in Canada. Marc Miller said prospective international students will need to show they have access to $20,635 instead of the $10,000 requirement that has been in place for two decades, in addition to paying for travel and tuition. He also added that the federal Liberals are extending an exemption that allows current international students without an employment visa to work for more than 20 hours each week off campus.
Pro: The new financial requirement is a step toward being open and transparent with prospective international students about the cost of living and studying in Canada.
Con: The policy may lead to fewer applicants as the proof of fund is now double of what it used to be.
Likewise, on December 11, 2023, the Australian government said it would halve the migration intake within two years. Hence, visa rules for international students will be tightened under the new plan.
Among the new measures are tougher minimum English-language requirements for international students,
and more scrutiny of those applying for a second visa- they must prove that any further study would advance their academic aspirations or their careers.
According to official data, there are about 650,000 foreign students in Australia with many of them on their second visa.
Pro: The new plan will help address the pressure mounted on housing and infrastructure by migration.
Con: More applicants will be denied due to the tougher minimum English-language requirements and more scrutiny for those applying for second visa.
More so, from January 2024, the British government has announced that international students traveling to the UK will no longer be able to bring dependents on their student visa unless they are studying a research postgraduate program as announced by the home secretary, Suella Braverman.
Furthermore, the British government would remove the ability for students to switch from their student visa to a working visa before they have completed their studies. This policy comes as part of a range of changes the government has made to reduce migration to the UK.
According to statistics from the Home Office, about 136,000 visas were granted to dependents of sponsored students in the year 2022, a more than eightfold increase from 16,000 in 2019.
Pro: Restrictions on migration will help avoid overburdening the country’s housing and infrastructure.
Con: International students who must travel with their dependents will have to choose to study elsewhere.
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