Tighter Visa rules create hurdles for students seeking to study abroad

The path to studying abroad is becoming more complicated for international students as several major education destinations tighten immigration rules, limit student numbers and revise post-study work arrangements.

For Bangladeshi students planning to study overseas, the changes mean that university selection is no longer the only major consideration. Visa availability, financial requirements, dependent rules and opportunities to remain after graduation are increasingly important factors.

Canada has introduced an annual cap on study permits as part of measures to control the growth of its temporary population. For 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada expects to issue up to 408,000 study permits, including 155,000 for newly arriving international students and 253,000 extensions for current and returning students. The 2026 figure is 7% lower than the 2025 target.


The changes across these destinations do not eliminate opportunities for international students, but they have made advance planning more important. Applicants need to examine not only tuition fees and university rankings but also current visa requirements, proof-of-funds rules, processing conditions, dependent eligibility and post-study work options.