News Mania Desk/Agnibeena Ghosh/16th July 2024
Recent changes in immigration policies have introduced significant challenges for students aspiring to study abroad. The sharp rise in visa application fees in countries like Australia, coupled with stricter visa issuance caps in the US and Canada, have made it considerably tougher for international students to secure their study permits. These new regulations are placing heavier financial and procedural burdens on applicants, disproportionately affecting students from low-income families and developing nations.
Ankit Mehra, CEO and Co-Founder of GyanDhan, provides a detailed analysis of these changes and their impacts. In Australia, the visa application fee has surged from Rs 39,000 to Rs 88,000, nearly doubling the cost for prospective students. The visa rejection rate in Australia has also increased to approximately 30% in 2024, up from 20% in the previous year. The United States has similarly raised the fee for extending an H1B visa to around Rs 3.33 lakh. Meanwhile, although the UK’s Graduate Route visa remains unchanged for now, its future is uncertain.
These changes are creating significant obstacles for students. The immediate effects include higher financial requirements, more stringent proof of funds criteria, and increased competition due to visa caps. Post-graduation work permits are also harder to secure, adding another layer of difficulty for students nearing the end of their studies.
The impact is especially severe on students from low-income families and developing countries, who find it increasingly difficult to meet the financial demands and navigate the more rigorous application processes. For instance, stricter financial requirements for family visas are making reunification more challenging, and heightened scrutiny is leading to higher visa rejection rates.
Unforeseen consequences of these changes are also emerging. For example, the increase in visa application fees and more stringent eligibility criteria have resulted in longer wait times and backlogs in visa processing in the UK and Australia. The UK’s increased immigration health surcharge has led to a decline in applications from international students and skilled workers. In New Zealand, the rejection rate for study visas has nearly doubled, further illustrating the tightening of immigration rules.
Looking ahead, further changes in immigration policies seem likely. Proposed increases in income requirements for spouse or partner visas in the UK are one such example, with the threshold set to rise from £18,600 to £29,000 in 2024, and eventually to £38,700 by 2025. Additionally, some countries are considering allowing international students to work more hours part-time.
Mehra advises prospective students to plan meticulously, accounting for increased visa costs and proof of funds requirements. Keeping abreast of changing work visa policies is crucial as economic conditions and immigration rules can shift rapidly.
