Securing residency after studying abroad is becoming harder for many international students, particularly for Vietnamese students eager to establish their lives and careers overseas.
According to Vietnam's consular department, around 80% of self-funded Vietnamese students studying abroad express their desire to obtain residency. Their motivations center on the allure of higher incomes and improved benefits available to permanent residents. Countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada are among the most popular destinations for these hopefuls, drawn by the prospect of not only education but also potential long-term residency.
Unfortunately, the path to achieving this goal has become increasingly clouded. Recent changes to international education policies, effective from 2024, are reshaping the educational landscapes and residency opportunities across several top-tier countries. For example, Canada has set stricter limits on study permits, reducing the caps from previous years. This year, the Canadian government plans to issue only 360,000 study permits, marking a 35% decline from 2023. These figures are set to decrease by 10% each year through 2026.
Adding to this difficulty, financial proof requirements have escalated dramatically. From 2024, international students heading to Canada will need to show proof of at least CAD20,635 (approximately US$14,660), which amounts to about 75% of Canada’s low-income threshold. What’s more, recent modifications also restrict work permits after graduation. Now, only university graduates are eligible for post-graduation work permits, meaning master's students from short programs, which last under 16 months, are left without the ability to work.
Australia, another popular destination, has introduced significant updates to its migration strategy, scheduled to take effect by 2025. They plan to limit annual international student enrollments to 270,000. The government is also focusing on public universities and trade schools, thereby reducing options for students pursuing degrees at private institutions. Since May 2024, the financial proof requirements have increased from AUD24,505 to AUD29,710 (roughly US$15,870 to $19,241), which equals 75% of Australia's minimum wage. Both stricter English proficiency tests and other limitations, including age limits and limited post-graduation work permit access, are now imposed.
The result of these regulatory changes can be stark. Between October 2023 and August 2024, the number of Australian student visas issued to Vietnamese students fell by 28% compared to the previous year. Such regulations are rooted deeply in the narrative of balancing demand and supply. The UK is also tightening its immigration frameworks, introducing prohibitions against dependents for all but PhD and master’s research students starting from 2024.
What’s even more concerning, the minimum salary threshold for long-term work visas will rise by 50%, from £26,200 to £38,700 (approximately US$33,110 to $48,910) beginning next year. Financial proof requirements for dependent visas will also increase significantly, which may deter many potential applicants.
Across these English-speaking nations, governing bodies aim to address congestion problems caused by the massive influx of international students. Since 2010, the numbers have surged, with little increase to universities’ capacities. The end result has been reduced educational quality, overwhelmed immigration systems, and fertile ground for visa fraud.
Experts believe the pressures on housing and healthcare—stemming from rising numbers of international students—are driving these policy changes. The Canadian government, for one, has set ambitious goals to trim its temporary residency numbers from 6.5% to 5% of the total population by 2026, responding to public sentiment around overloaded resources.
Australia has similar ambitions, aiming to reduce net immigration from 528,000 in this year to 260,000 by 2025. It is noteworthy to mention here how international students are often scapegoated for the nation's housing crisis. While they represent only 4% of the total rental market, the perception remains strong.
Visa policy modifications are reflective of broader immigration challenges. By 2025, Australia will not just cap permanent residency visas at 185,000 annually but also reassess how applications are rated. Criteria such as age, English proficiency, professional experience, education, and salary will all undergo adjustments.
The United States is not standing still. Under the looming shadow of Donald Trump's potential return to office, stricter immigration regulations are expected. During his previous presidency, the denial rate of H-1B visas—targeting highly skilled applicants—averaged 18%, compared to just 3.2% under Biden’s administration. This suggests the U.S. will continue to prioritize applicants from STEM fields, restricting broader accessibility for international students from other disciplines.
Given the tightening of policies, aspiring international students are left questioning their options. What alternatives do they have? More affordable countries may emerge as viable options for students focused solely on academic gains. Locations like South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan are gaining traction as affordable and attractive alternatives for Vietnamese students. Currently, these countries host approximately 73,000, 49,000, and 24,000 Vietnamese students, respectively.
Europe also presents some opportunities for Vietnamese students. They can pursue studies across multiple countries with relatively lenient immigration laws compared to those of the U.S., Canada, and Australia. Yet, as demand shifts, it's evident the global environment for international students is rapidly changing.
Students now face the dual challenge of studying abroad for educational advancement and simultaneously contending with strict residency regulations. Input from the Vietnamese consulate reveals desires of many students far from being mere ambitions. They resonate with the hopes of building stable careers, homes, and lives abroad, something increasingly complex with changing policies and regulations.
Overall, the message is clear: as immigration rules evolve around the world, prospective international students must stay informed and adjust their plans accordingly. Those who navigate these changes effectively may find enriched experiences and prosperous futures, but it involves careful planning and awareness of shifting landscapes.
