Immigration policy changes regularly, and the gap between what students think the rules are and what the rules actually are has widened considerably over the last eighteen months. A student who did their research in early 2024 may be working from assumptions that are now outdated on proof of funds, post-study work rights, programme eligibility, and visa fees. Outdated assumptions, when they make it into a visa application or a programme selection decision, have real consequences.

Here is where each major destination currently stands.

Canada

Three changes over the last year have meaningfully shifted the landscape for students considering Canada.

Proof of funds increased in September 2025. A single applicant must now show CAD $22,895 for living expenses, up from CAD $20,635. The increase is modest in percentage terms but it matters for students who had built their financial plan around the previous figure.

The PGWP rules were substantially revised in 2026. University students at bachelor's, master's, and PhD level are unaffected and remain fully eligible. The changes hit college-level programmes, where students must now verify that their specific programme is on a government-approved list. 178 programme types were removed, including business administration diplomas, general management, and hospitality courses at the college level. The implications of choosing a programme that is no longer PGWP-eligible are severe, and the check must happen before enrolment rather than after.

The Provincial Attestation Letter is now required for most undergraduate and college applicants as part of the study permit process. Students applying to master's or PhD programmes at public universities from January 2026 are exempt.

United Kingdom

Two rounds of maintenance requirement increases took effect during 2025. The current figures, in force from 11 November 2025, are £1,529 per month for London students over a maximum of nine months, and £1,171 for students studying outside London. Both are higher than the January 2025 figures, and both apply on top of outstanding tuition fees. Students who were quoted earlier figures from a pre-November 2025 source may have been working with numbers that no longer apply.

The Graduate Route change is the other development with a hard deadline attached. From January 2027, the Graduate Route permission period reduces from two years to 18 months for bachelor's and master's graduates. PhD graduates are exempt and continue to receive three years. The cut-off is the application date, not the graduation date, which creates a timing consideration for students graduating in late 2026. At Shuri we are actively helping enrolled students understand this timeline so they do not inadvertently miss the window for the longer permission.

United States

A nonimmigrant visa integrity fee was introduced in July 2025 and is added to the existing MRV and SEVIS fees that F-1 applicants pay. The combined total has therefore increased. Confirm the current amount with the US embassy in your country before building your visa cost into your pre-departure budget.

STEM OPT is unchanged. Graduates from eligible STEM programmes can still apply for up to three years of post-graduation work authorisation: the standard 12-month OPT period followed by a 24-month STEM extension. For students in computer science, engineering, data science, AI, and related fields, this remains one of the most valuable post-study provisions on offer anywhere.

Malaysia

Malaysia has moved into more conversations over the last year as students look seriously at the cost of a Western degree and weigh it against alternatives. Several Malaysian institutions offer internationally recognised degrees, including programmes run in partnership with UK and Australian universities. Annual tuition for international students ranges broadly from MYR $20,000 to $60,000, translating to roughly £3,500 to £11,000 depending on the exchange rate.

The trade-off is post-study. Malaysia does not have an equivalent of the Graduate Route or the PGWP, so students whose primary goal is an international immigration pathway after graduation will find the options limited. For students whose goal is the qualification itself, and who plan to advance their career at home or in another destination using that credential, Malaysia deserves serious consideration as a cost-effective route.

Dubai

Dubai now has fully operational campuses of several globally ranked universities and the degrees awarded are real, internationally recognised qualifications. Tuition ranges from approximately AED $40,000 to $120,000 per year.

The planning logic for Dubai is different from every other destination on this list. There is no open post-study work period. To remain in the UAE after graduation, you need an employment visa tied to a specific employer. The Dubai job market is active and well-compensated in finance, technology, and hospitality, but you enter it without the buffer that the Graduate Route or PGWP provides in other countries. Dubai works very well for students who have a specific employer in their sights, or for students who are using the degree to advance their career at home rather than to migrate. For everyone else, the post-graduation structure requires a plan that is more specific than most Western destinations demand.

Immigration rules across all these destinations are reviewed and updated regularly. The figures and policies described here reflect the position as of early 2026. Always verify current requirements from official sources before making any decision. At Shuri, staying current on these changes is part of how we protect the students who work with us, and if you want to understand how recent changes affect your specific situation, a consultation is the most efficient way to get clarity.