Market intelligence for international student recruitment from ICEF

Immigration Page 2 of 36

US: More international STEM students will be granted three-year OPT

Effective immediately, the US’s Optional Practical Training programme (OPT) is expanding to allow more international students – in more STEM-related fields of study – to remain in the...

Australia relaxes cap on international student work hours in selected industries

Serious labour shortages in Australia due to workers having to isolate because of COVID-19 have prompted the government to temporarily extend the number of hours international students can...

US announces important changes for student visa policy

Today we’re reporting on policy changes in the US that will affect international students going to the country in the coming year. These include a planned hike in...

International students permitted to return to Malaysia if they adhere to strict rules

In Malaysia, international students already enrolled with Malaysian institutions from most countries are welcome to return to the country provided they follow an extensive series of rules. The...

International students cleared to enter Australia beginning 15 December

On 15 December, Australia will go ahead with its plan to welcome back fully vaccinated international student and skilled worker visa holders; humanitarian, working holiday and provisional family...

UK adds Nigeria to red list and expands COVID testing requirements

The UK has introduced additional testing measures for all international travellers, and has expanded its “red list” of countries from which travel is essentially banned (except for returning...

Global tourism strengthens in 2021 but still far below pre-COVID levels

In the latest release from its World Tourism Barometer, the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) reports that international tourist arrivals increased by 58% for July-September 2021 compared to...

UK issues record number of study visas in 2021

The UK has broken a record in terms of the number of study visas issued to international students and their dependents, according to the Home Office. In the...

New Zealand to reopen borders in April 2022

New Zealand’s COVID-19 Response Minister, Chris Hipkins, announced today that the country’s borders would reopen to international travellers in 2022. Fully vaccinated New Zealand citizens – along with...

Canada expands list of approved vaccines

The Government of Canada has announced an expansion of its list of COVID-19 vaccines that travellers can receive in order to be considered fully vaccinated for the purpose...

Australia will open its borders to fully vaccinated international students on 15 December 2021

Editor’s note: Australia’s border opening for international students was originally planned for 1 December 2021. On 29 November, however, the Australian government announced that the opening date would...

UK expands approved vaccines list and eases under-18 travel

In important news for agents and students focused on study in the UK, there is new travel and border guidance from the British government: “From 4:00 am Monday...

Japan announces border opening for international students

Update: The Japanese government closed the country’s borders again effective 30 November out of concerns over the Omicron variant. The Japan Times reports that, “New restrictions will encompass...

Canadian immigration reports surge in study permit applications in 2021

New applications for Canadian study permits fell by nearly half in 2020 – compared to 2019 – as the pandemic took hold. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) data indicates...

Australia: Border reopening begins alongside expanded vaccine approvals

Vaccination rates are going up in Australia, and as they do, the government is preparing to reopen the country’s borders more fully for its citizens and permanent residents,...