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Visa News · Updated every MondayVisa News for Pakistani Students and Travellers
The visa rule changes and embassy notices that matter to students, visitors and families applying from Pakistan, checked against official government sources and explained in plain language.
This week at a glance
Rule changes
- Australia: new student visa rules in force from 2 October 2026
- UK: Buckinghamshire New University cannot sponsor new students
- USA: October 2026 Visa Bulletin for family visas
- New Zealand: visitor visas now only in the new online system
- New Zealand: post study work widened from 16 November 2026
- Australia: “no further stay” on visitor visas
- USA: Duration of Status rule blocked for now
- UK: student visa funds rise on 30 November 2026
- Canada: higher proof of funds for study permits
- UK: Graduate visa drops to 18 months from 2027
From the embassies in Pakistan
Rule changes this month
AustraliaAustralia: new student visa rules in force from 2 October 2026
From 2 October 2026, Student visa (subclass 500) applicants can no longer include a partner or children unless an exemption applies, and current Student visa holders cannot add family members after the visa is granted. The exemptions are PhD students, students sponsored by DFAT or Defence, foreign government scholarship holders, and eligible Pacific and ASEAN students. Most people in Australia on other temporary visas can no longer apply for a Student visa or Student Guardian visa from inside Australia, and current students must generally apply for a further Student visa from outside Australia, unless, for example, they are moving up to a higher level qualification or need up to 12 more months with the same provider. Applications lodged before 2 October are decided under the old rules.
What this means for you: if you are married and planning an Australian master’s by coursework, your spouse and children can only come with you if you fall into an exemption, mainly a PhD or a foreign government scholarship. The plan to “go first and bring family later” no longer works, so choose the right course and provider from the start.
Read more: Australia’s student dependant ban · Choose the right course first time · Source: Department of Home Affairs · Home Affairs fact sheet
UK: Buckinghamshire New University cannot sponsor new international students
The Home Office suspended Buckinghamshire New University’s student sponsor licence with immediate effect and removed it from the register of licensed student sponsors, so it cannot sponsor new international students for now. The university has 20 working days to respond; otherwise the licence will be revoked. Students it already sponsors can continue while their current permission stays valid.
What this means for you: if you hold an offer, a deposit receipt or a CAS from this university, pause further payments and your visa application, ask the university in writing about a refund, and talk to us about another university. Before paying any UK university, check that it appears on the register of licensed student sponsors.
USAUSA: October 2026 Visa Bulletin for family visas
The first Visa Bulletin of the new US fiscal year gives Pakistan (All Chargeability) a final action date of 22 September 2026 for F2A (spouses and minor children of green card holders), and the F2A dates for filing chart is current. Other final action dates: F1 22 January 2020, F2B 22 August 2019, F3 22 October 2014, F4 22 October 2011. Separately, the State Department confirms that the January 2026 pause on immigrant visas for nationals of 75 countries, including Pakistan, is no longer in effect.
What this means for you: almost every spouse and minor child of a US green card holder now has a current priority date. Complete your NVC documents and the affidavit of support now, but remember that a current date is not an interview date, so check your own case status before planning travel.
Source: US Department of State, Visa Bulletin for October 2026 · State Department update, 28 August 2026
New Zealand: visitor visas now only in the new online system
Most New Zealand visitor visas, including the general Visitor Visa, Business, Medical Treatment and Parent and Grandparent visitor visas, can now only be applied for in the enhanced online application system. Drafts started in the old system can be finished until 8 October 2026; after that they are deleted and you must start again in the new system.
What this means for you: parents and relatives planning to visit a student or family member in New Zealand this summer should apply in the new system and allow time for the extra questions it asks up front.
Source: New Zealand government (INZ)
Not sure how this applies to you?Send us your destination and planned application date on WhatsApp.
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New ZealandNew Zealand: post study work widened from 16 November 2026
From 16 November 2026, a Level 7 Graduate Diploma will qualify for the Post Study Work Visa if you also hold a bachelor’s degree (from any country) and studied full time in New Zealand for the whole qualification (at least 30 weeks). That visa lasts up to 1 year; a master’s still gives up to 3 years. Post Study Work Visa holders can support a partner and dependent children. Graduates of Level 5 to 7 qualifications who do not qualify can apply once for a new 6 month Short Term Graduate Work Visa, which does not include family.
What this means for you: if you already have a bachelor’s degree from Pakistan, a one year Graduate Diploma in New Zealand can now lead to a work visa with family rights, a real option now that Australia has removed family members from most student visas.
Source: New Zealand government (INZ), 10 September 2026 · Study in New Zealand
Australia: “no further stay” on visitor visas
Future visitor visas will carry a “no further stay” condition, so visitors will generally not be able to apply for another visa while in Australia.
What this means for you: parents visiting a student, or anyone hoping to “visit first and switch later”, should plan to return home and apply from Pakistan.
USAUSA: Duration of Status rule blocked for now
A federal court blocked the rule that would have replaced “Duration of Status” with fixed end dates for F1 and J1 students from 15 September 2026. Students keep Duration of Status for now, but the decision could still be appealed.
What this means for you: no change for current and new F1 students today. We will update this item if the court’s order changes.
United KingdomUK: student visa funds rise on 30 November 2026
For Student visa applications made on or after 30 November 2026, you must show £1,570 per month in London (was £1,529) or £1,203 per month outside London (was £1,171), for up to 9 months. That is £14,130 or £10,827 in total, plus any unpaid tuition. Applications made before 30 November use the old amounts.
What this means for you: January 2027 applicants should plan funds on the new figures unless they can apply before 30 November, and remember the money must be held for 28 days in a row.
Read more: UK student visa funds rise on 30 November 2026 · Source: Statement of Changes HC 584, gov.uk
CanadaCanada: higher proof of funds for study permits
Study permit applicants must now show CAD 23,448 for one person, per year on top of tuition and travel (CAD 29,192 for two people), everywhere except Quebec. Master’s and doctoral students at public institutions starting on or after 1 January 2026 do not need a provincial attestation letter.
What this means for you: budget for the higher figure from the start, and if you are choosing between a college diploma and a master’s, the master’s route now avoids the provincial letter.
Read more: Is Canada still worth it for Pakistani students in 2027? · Source: IRCC, canada.ca
United KingdomUK: Graduate visa drops to 18 months from 2027
Graduate visa applications made on or after 1 January 2027 get 18 months instead of 2 years (PhD graduates keep 3 years). Applications made by 31 December 2026 still get 2 years.
What this means for you: if you finish your course in late 2026, apply for the Graduate visa before the year ends to keep the full 2 years.
Read more: UK Graduate visa 18 months: the deadline explained · Source: gov.uk Graduate visa
From the embassies in Pakistan
Notices from the embassies, high commissions, official visa centres and scholarship bodies that serve Pakistani applicants.
British High Commission: Chevening scholarships close on 6 October
Applications for fully funded Chevening master’s scholarships in the UK for 2027/28 close on 6 October 2026 at 11:00 UTC. The scholarship covers tuition, flights, the visa and a living allowance. The British High Commission warns that AI generated answers risk disqualification.
What this means for you: with at least two years of work experience and a strong leadership story, apply now and do not leave it to the last day.
Source: Chevening, official site · British High Commission Islamabad
Campus France Pakistan: Études en France is open for September 2027
The Études en France campaign for September 2027 entry runs from 1 October to 18 November 2026. The Études en France fee is PKR 30,000 (non refundable), paid to Alliance Française Karachi by bank transfer or deposit, and it must be paid by 30 November 2026. You then attend an academic interview at Alliance Française in Islamabad, Lahore or Karachi, according to your address, with all original documents and the payment receipt. Results come on 30 April 2027 and your final choice is due by 31 May 2027.
What this means for you: start your application now rather than in the last week, and budget the fee. The Embassy of France warns about people selling visa services that promise results: use official channels only.
Source: Campus France Pakistan, updated 30 September 2026 · Embassy of France, fraud warning · Study in France
HEC: Commonwealth Scholarships for the UK close on 20 October
Commonwealth Scholarships 2027/28 fund full time taught master’s and PhD study in the UK from September or October 2027 (26 master’s and 30 general PhD nominations). Apply on both the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission system and the HEC portal. You need a first division degree and a HAT score of at least 60 out of 100. There is no age limit.
What this means for you: book your HAT test now if you need one, and work to the HEC deadline, which is earlier than the UK closing time.
USA: keep your social media public for student visa interviews
The US State Department reviews the online presence of F, M and J visa applicants and asks them to set all social media profiles to “public”. Since 1 October 2026 the same checks also apply to more visa types.
What this means for you: before your F1 or J1 interview, set every account you use to public and make sure it matches your DS-160.
Source: US Department of State · US Embassy in Pakistan
Italy: visa centres in Multan and Faisalabad closed
The Embassy of Italy has closed the Italian visa application centres in Multan and Faisalabad from 6 September 2026. Applications now go through Islamabad and Lahore only, and passports for former Multan and Faisalabad applicants are handled in Lahore. Study applicants complete Universitaly pre enrolment first.
What this means for you: applicants from southern and central Punjab should plan travel to Lahore, and deal only with the Embassy and its official visa centre.
Source: Embassy of Italy Islamabad
Australia: polio vaccine proof and up to date contact details
The Australian High Commission reminds Pakistani applicants to show a dose of inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) taken within 12 months of travel, and to keep contact details up to date with the Department of Home Affairs.
What this means for you: get the polio certificate before you lodge, and update your email and phone in ImmiAccount if they change.
Older items, including the September announcements on Australian student family members and course changes, the US family visa dates for September, the Schengen EES item, the Canada Biometric Instruction Letter upload and earlier embassy fraud warnings, are in the Visa News archive.
Frequently asked questions
How often is this visa news page updated?
Every Monday, and sooner when a major change affects Pakistani applicants. The date at the top shows the last update.
Where does Westside get its visa news?
We track official sources such as gov.uk, the Australian Department of Home Affairs, IRCC, the US State Department, the New Zealand government (INZ), the European Commission, the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan, and the embassies, high commissions and official visa centres in Pakistan. We only list a change here once a government source confirms it.
Does a new rule apply to my application if I already applied?
It depends on the rule. Many changes, such as the UK funds increase and Australia’s 2 October student visa rules, only apply to applications made on or after the start date. Contact us with your application date and we will check.
Westside Visa News, every Monday
The confirmed changes on this page, written up for Pakistani families and students, in your LinkedIn feed each week.
Not sure how a change affects you?
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This page is general information, not legal or migration advice. Westside Visa Consultants is an independent private advisory, not affiliated with any government, embassy or visa centre. Visa rules change often; always check the official government website before you apply.
