Official sources scanned every 3 hours
Rules for studying internationally change often. Follow every official update in one place.
Visas, money to show, tuition, work rights and degree recognition in 15 countries, taken straight from the immigration services and ministries that set them, adjusted to your passport and checked every day.
- Official sources onlyEvery figure links to the government body that decides it. No agents, no rumours.
- Checked every dayA monitor scans the official sources every 3 hours. Changes appear with the date they take effect, and upcoming ones are flagged in advance.
- For your passportRoutes, costs and work rights adjust to your nationality, across 28 countries of origin.
Bookmark this page to come back before you apply: press Ctrl + D.
Latest news
Real developments as they’re verified, beyond structured rule changes. Refreshed periodically, not live — each item links to its primary source.
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29 Sept 2026
The $70M international education cut we reported was part of an $810M “pocket rescission” GAO already calls unlawful
Follow-up to our Sept 25 item: the White House’s $70 million cut to grants and fellowships that bring foreign students and faculty to US institutions was executed as part of a larger $810 million package sent to Congress without warning. The administration used a “pocket rescission,” withholding the funds until it’s too late in the fiscal year for Congress to act. The independent Government Accountability Office has already concluded pocket rescissions are unlawful under the Impoundment Control Act. Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Susan Collins (R-ME) called it “a clear violation of the law” and said Congress was not consulted. The rest of the package includes $567 million in refugee and immigration services funding.
Source: OPB ↗ · Statement via ABC News ↗ -
28 Sept 2026
The US has the most foreign-trained doctors, but not the highest share
The US has more foreign-trained doctors than any other country in absolute numbers, but that’s a function of the size of its physician workforce, not an unusually high reliance on international recruitment. By share, Israel (57.8%), New Zealand and Norway (42.1% each), Ireland (40.5%) and the UK (~36%) all lean on foreign-trained doctors more heavily than the US (~31%). We broke down why: US physician pay, a standardized qualifying exam (USMLE), and a Medicare-funded residency cap frozen since 1997 that limits how many international medical graduates can enter US practice each year.
Source: Diplonaut analysis ↗ · Data from OECD ↗ and NRMP ↗ -
26 Sept 2026
ILAC’s former CEO speaks out: a $10,000 bank balance funded a 160,000-seat pathway that collapsed overnight
Jonathan Kolber, founder and CEO of ILAC (Canada’s largest private English school and international college) from 1997 to 2023, gave his first interview since ILAC’s bankruptcy this month, which stranded about 1,300 students and left hundreds of staff jobless. Kolber traces the collapse to Ontario’s public-private partnership model: public colleges could each enroll roughly 8,000 international students through private partners like ILAC, scaling to well over 100,000 seats concentrated in downtown Toronto, on a study-permit financial requirement of just $10,000 in the bank. When the federal government banned visas for public-private partnership programs in January 2024 to curb the model, it ended a nearly guaranteed 2-year-study, 3-year-work, permanent-residence pathway overnight and set off the chain that led to ILAC’s collapse. Kolber also pointed to the concentration of students from one source country as a factor; independent reporting instead points to the low, unadjusted financial bar and the PPP model’s unchecked scale as the structural cause.
Source: Ensign Media / Harrison Faulkner interview with Jonathan Kolber ↗ · Also reported by The Globe and Mail ↗ -
25 Sept 2026
Edinburgh cuts 90+ programmes, and international students get drawn into the debate
The University of Edinburgh is closing more than 90 programmes to new applicants from 2027, about half in language and literature, including Scottish literature, Celtic, and Scottish ethnology degrees. The university cites financial pressure and low enrollment (about a fifth of the closing courses had no students at all). A union representative argues international-student-heavy programmes are being favored over Scottish-focused ones, but an academic in the affected department points to enrollment data (6 students in the standalone Scottish literature degree versus 30+ in the joint programme that is staying) that tells a different story. Read as a disputed claim, not a confirmed one.
Source: Times Higher Education ↗ · Reported by The Scotsman ↗ -
25 Sept 2026
US rescinds $70 million in international education grants
As part of a nearly $1 billion “pocket rescission” of already-approved federal spending across several agencies, the administration cancelled $70 million in grants that funded bringing foreign students and faculty to US institutions. The White House said some funded projects were “divisive,” citing examples such as doctoral dissertations on LGBTQ community-building. The move was announced with five days left in the fiscal year, while Congress was out of session.
Source: The White House ↗ · Reported by STAT News ↗ -
21 Sept 2026
CPT work authorization just got harder to qualify for
SEVP now requires Curricular Practical Training to be strictly required for graduation, not just related to a student’s field, before it can be approved. Universities are already adjusting how they process applications under the new guidance.
Source: SEVP memo (ICE) ↗ · Reported by The Daily Campus ↗ -
10 Sept 2026
UK student visa applications fall to lowest level since 2022
UK student visa applications fell 16% in the year to August 2026, to 360,700 main applicants, according to Home Office data. Dependant applications fell even further, down 22% to 17,000. India was named among the hardest-hit nationalities, alongside Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Ghana and Nigeria. The decline follows the UK’s dependants ban, which restricts family visas to research postgraduates only, and a new compliance system requiring universities to keep visa refusal rates under 5% or risk sanctions.
Source: UK Home Office (migration statistics) ↗ -
9 Sept 2026
Houston immigration attorney charged in alleged mail fraud scheme, 100+ victims alleged
Federal prosecutors say Houston immigration attorney Alla Nowowiejski accepted payment from clients to file work-visa and status-adjustment applications, then never submitted them, or filed only part of them, while sending fabricated documents and case reference numbers taken from unrelated filings to make it look like applications were moving forward. The Harris County Constable’s Office says the scheme affected more than 100 people. She faces charges of mail fraud and false statements, with a maximum of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine per count if convicted.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice ↗ · Reported by ABC13 Houston ↗ -
20 Aug 2026
International applications to US colleges fall 10%, first drop after a decade of growth
International first-year applications through the Common App fell 10% in the 2025–26 cycle, about 16,000 fewer students, ending a run that took annual applications from roughly 90,000 to nearly 165,000 over the prior decade. Applications from Asia fell 11% and from Africa 17%. Common App did not attribute a cause; reporting has linked the drop to visa policy tightening and processing delays.
Source: Common App ↗ · Reported by Inside Higher Ed ↗ -
12 May 2026
ICE flags 10,000+ students in OPT fraud crackdown
ICE and Homeland Security Investigations identified over 10,000 international students claiming employment with ‘highly suspect’ employers under Optional Practical Training, drawn from a review of just the top 25 OPT employers by headcount. Site visits across eight states found empty buildings, shared addresses with no lease on file, and employers who could not answer basic questions about students they claimed to employ. One North Texas employer reported 3 OPT workers; government records showed over 500 students listed it as their employer. USCIS data shows detected OPT fraud cases are up 37% since 2023.
Source: ICE press conference, reported by ICEF Monitor ↗ -
15 Apr 2026
UK confirmed to rejoin Erasmus+ from 2027
The UK will formally rejoin the EU’s Erasmus+ exchange programme from January 2027, after leaving in 2020 post-Brexit. The UK will contribute about £570 million, a 30% discount versus default Trade and Cooperation Agreement terms, with over 100,000 people in the UK expected to benefit in the first year. This restores structured exchange access between UK and EU institutions for students, apprentices and staff.
Source: UK Parliament, Cabinet Office written answer ↗
Verified changes here are rare by design. For smaller cost shifts and comparisons as they’re checked, follow @DiplonautHQ.
Follow on X| Destination | Tuition/yr (master's) | Funds to show | Work while studying | Work after graduating | Est. total/yr | Degree recognized | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸 United States | $25k to $40k | Full first-year | 20 h / wk | 12 months | $93,500 | On the national register | Source ↗ |
| 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | £16k to £24k | £1,203 / mo | 20 h / wk | 24 months (18 from 1 Jan 2027) | $41,900 | Recognised body | Source ↗ |
| 🇨🇦 Canada | CA$22k to CA$32k | CA$23,448 / yr | 24 h / wk off campus | Up to 36 months | $66,300 | Provincially authorized | Source ↗ |
| 🇦🇺 Australia | A$34k to A$45k | A$29,710 / yr | 48 h / fortnight | Up to 24 months (35 or under) | $93,500 | On the national register | Source ↗ |
| 🇩🇪 Germany | Near €0 (public); €1,500/sem in BW | €11,904 / yr (blocked account) | 20 h / wk | 12 months (job-seeking) | $41,800 | Public university | Source ↗ |
| 🇫🇷 France | €3,950 / yr (public, non-EU) | €877.50 / mo | 20 h / wk | 12 months (job-search year) | $41,700 | Recognised by the State | Source ↗ |
| 🇳🇱 Netherlands | €8,000 to €20,000 | €13,600 / yr | 16 h / wk (full-time in summer) | 12 months (orientation year) | $43,000 | Accredited institution | Source ↗ |
| 🇮🇪 Ireland | €9k to €29k | €10,000 / yr | 20 h / wk (40 h holidays) | 12–24 months (Stamp 1G, by level) | $46,200 | QQI / NFQ registered | Source ↗ |
| 🇧🇪 Belgium | About €5,010 / yr | €1,062 / mo | 20 h / wk | 12 months (job-search year) | $41,700 | Recognized by the Federation | Source ↗ |
| 🇨🇭 Switzerland | CHF 1,000 to CHF 2,000 | Set by canton (~CHF 21,000/yr) | 15 h / wk (after 6 months) | 6 months (confirm with canton) | $65,000 | Accredited (HEdA) | Source ↗ |
| 🇦🇹 Austria | €1,453 / yr (non-EU) | €1,308.39 / mo | 20 h / wk | 12 months (job-seeking) | $41,800 | Public university | Source ↗ |
| 🇩🇰 Denmark | DKK 75k to DKK 120k | DKK 7,426 / mo | 90 h / month | 6 months to 3 years (SIRI) | $56,900 | State-approved program | Source ↗ |
| 🇸🇪 Sweden | SEK 80k to SEK 200k | SEK 10,656 / mo | 15 h / wk | 12 months (permit to look for work) | $54,400 | Public university | Source ↗ |
| 🇯🇵 Japan | ~$3,500 (national) to $15,000+ (private) | ¥2,000,000 (~$13,500) | 28 h / wk (term) | ~12 months (job-seeking, Designated Activities) | $40,000 (est.) | MEXT-accredited | Source ↗ |
| 🇰🇷 South Korea | ₩6M to ₩25M (~$4,500-18,750) | ₩20,000,000 (~$15,000) | 20-30 h / wk (by level, after 6mo) | D-10 job-seeking, up to 2 years | $38,000 (est.) | Recognized institution | Source ↗ |
Studying internationally in 2026: key rules at a glance
The comparator above adjusts every figure to your passport. For a quick overview, here are the main rules for students from outside the EU at public universities, each linked to the government body that sets it.
| Destination | Tuition per year (master's) | Money to show for the visa | Time to work after graduating | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | Near €0 (semester fee only; €1,500 per semester in Baden-Württemberg) | €11,904 a year (blocked account) | 18 months | Federal Foreign Office |
| France | €3,950 a year for a public master's (non-EU rate, 2026–27) | €877.50 a month | 12 months | Ministry of Higher Education |
| Netherlands | About €13,000 to €22,000 (estimate, set by each university) | €1,130.77 a month | 12 months (orientation year) | IND |
| Ireland | About €12,000 to €20,000 (estimate, set by each university) | €10,000 a year | Up to 24 months | Irish Immigration Service |
| Belgium | About €5,010 a year at French-speaking universities (non-EU) | €1,062 a month (2026–27) | 12 months | Belgian Foreign Affairs |
| United Kingdom | About £16,000 to £24,000 (estimate) | £1,171 a month outside London, £1,529 in London (rising on 30 November 2026) | 24 months (18 months from 1 January 2027) | Home Office |
| Canada | About CA$22,000 to 32,000 (estimate, outside Quebec) | CA$23,448 a year plus first-year tuition | Up to 36 months | IRCC |
| United States | About $25,000 to $40,000 at public universities (estimate) | Your full first-year cost, as shown on your I-20 | 12 months (up to 36 in STEM) | DHS |
| Australia | About A$34,000 to 45,000 (estimate) | A$29,710 a year plus tuition and travel | Up to 24 months | Australian Government |
| Japan | ¥535,800 a year at national universities (standard rate; some now charge international students more) | No fixed amount: proof you can pay tuition and living costs | Up to 12 months (job-hunting status) | Immigration Services Agency |
| South Korea | About ₩5M to ₩8M a year at national universities (estimate) | ₩20 million (₩16 million outside the Seoul region) | Up to 3 years (job-seeker visa) | Korean government |
How this comparator works
Every figure comes from the official decision-makers: immigration services, ministries and government publications. A monitor scans them every 3 hours, every change is verified on the official page before it is published, and each one appears with the date it takes effect. Estimates are clearly labeled where universities set their own fees. Where no official source exists yet, the comparator says so.
This is information, not legal or immigration advice. Always confirm with the official source or embassy before you apply.
Frequently asked questions
Which country is cheapest for a master's degree in another country in 2026?
Germany, in most cases: public universities charge only a semester fee (except in Baden-Württemberg), though you must show €11,904 a year in a blocked account. France is also low-cost at public universities, at €3,950 a year for students from outside the EU in 2026–27.
Which countries let you work longest after graduating?
Canada offers up to three years after a master's, and South Korea now lets graduates of its universities stay up to three years to look for work. Ireland offers up to 24 months, and the UK offers 24 months until the end of 2026, falling to 18 months for applications from 1 January 2027. Germany offers 18 months to look for work.
How much money do I need to show for a student visa?
It depends on the country: for example CA$23,448 a year for Canada (outside Quebec), €11,904 a year for Germany, €877.50 a month for France and £1,171 a month for the UK outside London. Tuition usually comes on top. The comparator shows the amount that applies to you.
Do I need a visa before I travel?
It depends on your passport. EU citizens need no visa to study elsewhere in the EU. Citizens of the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia can enter Germany without a visa and apply for a residence permit after arrival, and do not need an entry visa for the Netherlands. Most other nationalities apply for a student visa before travelling. Select your nationality above to see your route.
Will my degree be recognized when I come back home?
Only if it is officially recognized in the country that issues it, which matters most at private schools. The comparator shows what to check in each country, and our guides explain credential evaluations, such as the evaluation of foreign degrees for Canada's Express Entry.