Article Summary

The article details significant tightening of global student and work visa rules across the US, Canada, UK, and Australia for 2025. Key changes include a new $100,000 H-1B fee and fixed-term student stays in the US, reduced study permits and limited spousal work rights in Canada, increased maintenance funds and proposed shorter post-study work in the UK, and revised English test rules in Australia. These policy shifts are set to impact international students and skilled professionals financially and professionally.

TNP AI: Key Insights

This article provides critical, actionable intelligence for H1B.news's audience by detailing immediate and upcoming shifts in skilled immigration policies across the US, UK, Canada, and Australia. These changes significantly impact the financial, career, and long-term planning of international students and professionals, as well as the talent strategies of employers.

The proposed US H-1B fee and fixed-term student stays represent a dramatic departure from previous H-1B cost structures and the long-standing 'duration of status' policy for F-1/J-1 visas. This mirrors a broader trend observed in Canada's new study permit caps and spousal work restrictions, alongside the UK's increased maintenance funds and proposed shortening of the Graduate Route, all indicating a global pivot towards more restrictive and costly skilled immigration pathways.

For employers, these policies necessitate a re-evaluation of global talent pipelines and potential shifts in recruitment strategies, while visa holders face increased administrative burdens, financial pressures, and heightened uncertainty. These changes will likely intensify global competition for skilled talent and prompt individuals to seek out destinations with more predictable immigration policies.