Canada — Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot enters a new annual cycle
What changed
Canada is renewing the Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot (FMCSP). A new annual application period will begin on 26 August 2026. This policy allows up to 2,970 study permit applications from eligible French-speaking people. These applications can be accepted under Part A between 26 August 2026 and 25 August 2027. Applicants must generally be citizens of specific countries in Africa, the Middle East, or the Americas. They must have an acceptance letter from a college or university outside Quebec that is taking part in the programme. They must study mostly in French in a qualifying programme that lasts two years or more. They must show NCLC (Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens or Canadian Language Benchmarks) Level 5 in all four French language skills. They must also meet the money requirements. This renewed policy replaces the version from 18 September 2025. It keeps the 2,970 annual limit and the main rules for who can apply.
The detail
Policy history
Canada — Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot enters a new annual cycleRelated changes
United KingdomStudent VisasPublishedEffective 8 Oct 2026 UK Visit Visa Guidance Updated for Erasmus+ Placements for Children Under 18
What changed
UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) has updated its 'Visit visa: guide to supporting documents'. This new version came into effect on 8 October 2026. The updated guidance now states that child applicants under 18, who are doing an Erasmus+ traineeship or job shadowing placement, must provide proof that both their parent or guardian and their home institution have given permission. This update makes the document requirements clearer for this specific group of young visitors, ensuring their applications meet the current policy for educational exchanges.
Published 8 Oct 2026Effective 8 Oct 2026UK Visas and Immigration — News & communications
South KoreaStudent VisasAnnouncementEffective 7 Oct 2026 South Korea Shifts Foreign Student Visa Policy from “Attraction” to “Growth”
What changed
South Korea's Ministry of Justice has announced a significant reorganisation of its visa policy for foreign students. The system is moving away from simply attracting international students to one that supports their development, helps them find jobs, and encourages them to settle in South Korea for the long term. The Ministry released this new strategy on 7 October 2026. It comes after about five months of work by the public-private Foreign Student Visa System Improvement Council, which was set up in April. This strategy has been developed as South Korea anticipates having around 400,000 foreign students.
Published 7 Oct 2026Effective 7 Oct 2026Ministry of Justice — Press releases
Canada · OntarioEmployer SponsorshipEffectiveEffective 5 Oct 2026 Ontario Immigrant Nominee Programme Redesigned with New 'Workforce Priority' Stream and Closure of Eight Previous Streams
What changed
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Programme (OINP) has changed the scoring for Canadian work experience earnings history within its Ontario Workforce Priority (OWP) stream's Expression of Interest (EOI) system. As of 5 October 2026, candidates who have earned CAD 80,000 or more in a single year during the last five years will receive 10 points. This update is automatically applied to all existing EOIs and aims to make the assessment process smoother for highly paid candidates in Ontario's workforce.
Published 26 Jun 2026Effective 5 Oct 2026Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program — Programme updates
AustraliaStudent VisasEffectiveEffective 2 Oct 2026 Australia Amends Classes of Persons for Student (Temporary) (Class TU) Visa Applications
What changed
The Migration (LIN 20/158: Class of Persons for Student (Temporary) (Class TU) Visa Applications) Amendment Instrument 2026 introduces changes to the eligibility criteria for Student (Temporary) (Class TU) visa applicants in Australia. These amendments, which apply to certain classes of persons including doctoral students and family members, will be in force from 2 October 2026. The instrument revises existing provisions related to visa application arrangements and conditions for specified student cohorts.
Published 1 Oct 2026Effective 2 Oct 2026Federal Register of Legislation — Migration instruments
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