- Canada is capping temporary resident intakes to ease housing pressures, resulting in a nearly 7 per cent decline in international student enrollment.
- Australia has restricted onshore visa applications and limited family dependents to stop students from using education as a permanent migration loophole.
- Frequent policy shifts create financial instability for international families who often sell assets or take large loans to fund overseas education.
- Experts warn that unpredictable immigration rules may drive global talent elsewhere, potentially harming host nations' economies and educational institutions.
Canberra/Ottawa: For many young people, leaving home to study in Canada or Australia is a big dream. Families work hard for years to save money. Some sell their land, use up all their savings, or take out big loans to pay for high tuition fees and rent.
Many give up good jobs at home because they believe an overseas degree will help them find better work and build a stable future abroad.
But getting a degree no longer guarantees that students can stay after they graduate. Canada and Australia have both introduced tougher immigration rules. Post-study work permits are now harder to get, and pathways to permanent residency are shrinking fast.
Big Costs and High Risks
Going abroad to study is a huge financial risk. International students pay much more in tuition fees than local students. On top of that, rent, food, and transport costs keep going up.
Most students choose their courses based on the visa rules in place when they apply. But because degrees take several years to finish, governments can change the rules while students are still in class.
When rules change mid-way through a degree, graduates often find themselves stuck. They face tougher job markets and fewer options to stay legally. For families who borrowed money, this uncertainty creates heavy financial stress.
What Is Changing in Canada?
Canada is cutting down on the number of new temporary residents it lets into the country each year.
Under its latest immigration plan, Canada set a cap of 385,000 new temporary residents for 2026. This number will drop to 370,000 per year in 2027 and 2028. These limits apply to new student permits and temporary work visas.
The Canadian government says it needs to slow down population growth. Officials explain that fewer new arrivals will help ease pressure on local housing markets, hospitals, and public services.
These cutbacks are already making an impact. Official figures show that international student enrolment at public colleges and universities in Canada dropped by nearly 7 per cent in the 2024–2025 school year. College enrolment fell the most, dropping by almost 8 per cent.
What Is Changing in Australia?
Australia is also tightening its rules to stop people from using student visas as an easy way to live in the country long-term.
Under new rules that started on October 2, 2026, people already in Australia on certain short-term visas can no longer apply for a student visa from inside the country.
Australia has also made it much harder for students to bring family members with them. In most cases, students can no longer add partners or children to their visa applications unless they are studying for a PhD or hold specific government scholarships.
Starting in July 2027, Australia will also introduce new restrictions to stop students from switching courses or moving to cheaper schools after they arrive.
The Real Cost for Countries and Students
International students bring many benefits to their host countries. They pay tuition fees, spend money in local shops, and fill important jobs after they finish school.
A student visa is not a guarantee of permanent residency. Governments have every right to change their immigration limits to protect their own economies and public services.
However, experts warn that constant rule changes can backfire. If rules are unclear or keep changing, top talent will go elsewhere. Local businesses could struggle to find skilled workers, and colleges will lose vital income.
For students and their families, the emotional and financial stakes remain high. Host nations need clear and fair rules so young people know exactly what to expect before making life-changing decisions.
The news story was jointly prepared in support of Amrit Chhetri in Canada.
