London’s Call vs. Canada’s New Rules: Where Should International Students Study in 2026?

Introduction: A Global Shift in Education

On June 8, 2025, London Mayor Sadiq Khan invited international students facing U.S. visa challenges to study in the U.K., criticizing “narrow” nationalism and promoting London as an inclusive academic hub. As U.S. visa policies reportedly tighten under President Donald Trump’s administration, students are exploring alternatives like the U.K. and Canada. However, Canada’s visa policies for international students have undergone significant changes in 2024 and 2025, balancing openness with sustainability. How do these policies compare to the U.K.’s offerings, and what do they mean for global education? This post analyzes Canada’s visa landscape, contrasts it with Khan’s U.K. pitch, and explores the implications for students and social values.

The U.S. Context: A Closing Door?

Reports suggest that U.S. visa restrictions have intensified, with delays and denials affecting international students. Posts on X highlight frustrations, claiming policies target specific groups or create uncertainty. While details are limited, the perception of a less welcoming U.S. has driven students to consider other destinations. Khan’s response was strategic: “London will always offer newcomers a warm welcome,” he said, emphasizing the city’s diversity and top-tier universities like Oxford and UCL. Canada, a long-standing favorite for international students, is also in the spotlight, but its visa policies are evolving to address domestic pressures.

Canada’s Visa Policies for International Students: A 2025 Analysis

Canada has historically been a top destination for international students, hosting over 1 million in 2023. Its appeal lies in quality education, multicultural society, and pathways to permanent residency. However, 2024 and 2025 have seen significant policy shifts to manage housing, infrastructure, and institutional quality. Here’s a detailed breakdown:

• Study Permit Caps: In 2024, Canada introduced a two-year cap, reducing study permits by 35% to approximately 360,000. For 2025, the cap is set at 437,000, a 10% reduction from 2024, reflecting a 36% decrease from 2023 levels. This aims to ease pressure on housing and services, particularly in provinces like Ontario and British Columbia, which host the largest student populations.

• Provincial Attestation Letters (PAL/TAL): Since 2024, most study permit applicants require a PAL or TAL from their province or territory, ensuring student numbers align with local capacity. As of January 2025, this extends to master’s and doctoral students, though exemptions exist for exchange students and certain priority groups.

• Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) Changes: Starting November 2024, PGWP eligibility is stricter. Graduates from public colleges qualify only if their program aligns with labor market shortages. University graduates remain eligible for up to three-year permits, but master’s graduates now receive three-year PGWPs regardless of program length, enhancing residency prospects.

• Off-Campus Work Hours: As of November 2024, students can work up to 24 hours per week off-campus during classes, up from 20, balancing financial support with academic focus.

• Financial Requirements: Since January 2024, students must show CAD 20,635 for living expenses, plus tuition, to ensure financial stability.

• Discontinuation of Fast-Track Programs: The Student Direct Stream (SDS), which expedited permits for countries like India and China, ended in November 2024 to ensure fairness. All applications now follow the standard stream.

• Designated Learning Institution (DLI) Compliance: DLIs face stricter rules, including student compliance reporting and letter of acceptance verification. Non-compliant DLIs risk suspension, protecting students from fraudulent institutions.

These changes reflect Canada’s effort to maintain its reputation while addressing domestic concerns. The 2025 Immigration Levels Plan projects 305,900 new international students annually through 2027, signaling controlled growth.

U.K. Education Policies: Khan’s Inclusive Vision

Khan’s invitation highlights the U.K.’s strengths: world-class universities, a diverse cultural scene, and a Graduate Route visa allowing two years of post-study work. International students contributed £41.9 billion to the U.K. economy in 2021–22, underscoring their value. However, challenges include high tuition fees (£20,000+ annually), London’s costly living expenses, and post-Brexit visa complexities. Recent restrictions prevent most students from bringing dependents, potentially deterring some.

Comparing Canada and the U.K.: Opportunities and Challenges

• Accessibility: Canada’s study permit caps and PAL requirements add complexity, but exemptions for graduate students and clear guidelines ensure access. The U.K.’s visa process is relatively straightforward, though dependent restrictions may limit appeal. Both nations require proof of financial stability, but Canada’s CAD 20,635 threshold is more explicit than the U.K.’s variable requirements.

• Affordability: Canadian public universities charge $20,000–$40,000 CAD annually, often less than U.K. institutions. Canada’s scholarships and work opportunities (24 hours/week) enhance affordability. London’s high living costs make the U.K. less budget-friendly, despite its academic prestige.

• Post-Study Opportunities: Canada’s PGWP, especially for master’s graduates, offers a stronger residency pathway via programs like Express Entry. The U.K.’s Graduate Route provides work experience but lacks a direct residency track, requiring further visa applications.

• Policy Stability: Canada’s 2024–2025 reforms reflect proactive management of student intake, though caps may deter applicants. The U.K.’s policies are stable but face political uncertainties post-Brexit, potentially affecting future openness.

Social Values: Balancing Inclusion and Sustainability

Khan’s critique of nationalism aligns with Canada’s historical inclusivity, but Canada’s recent caps suggest a cautious approach to balance diversity with resource constraints. Both nations value education as a driver of innovation, with international students fostering cross-cultural exchange. Canada’s policies prioritize labor market alignment, reflecting pragmatic social values, while the U.K. emphasizes cultural diversity, as Khan’s rhetoric suggests.

Global Competition: Beyond Canada and the U.K.

Australia, Germany, and the Netherlands also attract students with affordable education and inclusive policies. Australia’s uncapped student visas and Germany’s low-tuition model compete with Canada’s structured approach and the U.K.’s prestige. Posts on X suggest Canada remains a top choice, but its caps have sparked concerns about accessibility.

Challenges Ahead

Canada’s permit caps may reduce diversity, particularly from countries like India, which comprised 40% of students in 2023. Institutions in Ontario and British Columbia face financial strain, potentially leading to program cuts. The U.K. must address affordability to sustain Khan’s vision, while both nations need transparent communication to guide students.

Conclusion: Choosing the Right Path

Sadiq Khan’s invitation to London is a bold call for inclusivity, but Canada’s refined visa policies offer a compelling alternative despite tighter controls. Both nations champion education’s role in building global societies, yet their approaches differ: Canada prioritizes sustainability, while the U.K. emphasizes openness. For students navigating U.S. visa hurdles, the choice between London’s vibrancy and Canada’s structured opportunities hinges on affordability, career goals, and long-term prospects. As global education evolves, Insightoutvision.com invites readers to reflect on how these policies shape our interconnected world.

Thought Questions:

1. How can Canada ensure its study permit caps don’t disproportionately affect students from specific regions, like India or Nigeria?

2. Does the U.K.’s high cost of education undermine Khan’s vision of London as an inclusive academic hub?

3. What role should international students play in shaping visa policies to balance national needs with global educational access?

Sources:

• ABC News, June 9, 2025

• Posts on X, June 5–9, 2025

• Universities UK, 2023

• Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), 2025

• ApplyBoard, 2024–2025

• Reuters, January 24, 2025

• ICEF Monitor, September 18, 2024

• Canada Immigration News, 2024–2025