Are you planning to study abroad but not sure whether to choose the UK, Canada, or Australia? Here’s a detailed comparison of the student visa routes for these three popular destinations.
1. Visa Names & Routes
- UK: Student Visa (formerly Tier 4)
- Canada: Study Permit
- Australia: Subclass 500 Student Visa
2. Eligibility Criteria
- UK: Unconditional offer from a licensed student sponsor, English language proficiency, financial proof (~£1,334/month in London)
- Canada: Letter of Acceptance from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI), proof of funds (minimum ~CAD 10,000/year), and medical exam (if needed)
- Australia: CoE from a CRICOS-registered provider, English test, OSHC insurance, financial proof (~AUD 24,505/year)
3. Cost of Visa
- UK: £490 + Immigration Health Surcharge (~£470/year)
- Canada: CAD 150
- Australia: AUD 710 (as of 2025)
4. Work Rights During Studies
- UK: 20 hours/week during term, full-time during vacations
- Canada: 20 hours/week during term (may expand to 24 hours in 2024–25 reforms)
- Australia: 48 hours/fortnight (i.e., 24 hours/week), full-time during breaks
5. Post-Study Work Options
- UK: Graduate Route – 2 years (3 for PhD), cannot be extended
- Canada: Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) – up to 3 years
- Australia: Temporary Graduate Visa – 2 to 6 years based on qualification and location
6. Pathway to Permanent Residency
- UK: Graduate visa does not lead to settlement; need to switch to Skilled Worker route
- Canada: PGWP holders can apply for PR via Express Entry or Provincial Nominee Programs
- Australia: Can apply for PR via General Skilled Migration (189/190), regional pathways
7. Language Requirements
- UK: IELTS (UKVI), OET, or equivalent
- Canada: IELTS Academic/General, CELPIP, TEF, etc.
- Australia: IELTS, PTE, TOEFL iBT, or Cambridge
8. Processing Time
- UK: 3 weeks (standard)
- Canada: 4–12 weeks depending on region
- Australia: 4–8 weeks
Conclusion
Each country offers great education opportunities, but your final decision may depend on your budget, PR goals, and work plans after graduation.
✅ For fast PR: Canada
✅ For global career exposure: UK
✅ For longer post-study visa: Australia