Latest News
Real developments as they’re verified, beyond structured rule changes on the main comparator. Every item links to its primary source, with the outlet that reported it named separately.
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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 ↗
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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.
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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.
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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.