Every study-abroad plan rests on a few numbers: how much the visa costs, how much money you must show and how long you can stay to work afterwards. Several of those numbers changed in 2025 and 2026. Here is a country-by-country summary, with the official source for each figure at the end.
United Kingdom: a shorter Graduate Route
- Graduate Route reduced to 18 months. For Graduate visa applications made on or after 1 January 2027, the visa is 18 months instead of two years. PhD graduates still get three years. Anyone starting a one-year Master’s in 2026 or 2027 will apply after that date.
- Higher proof of funds. Since 11 November 2025 Student visa applicants must show £1,529 a month in London or £1,171 a month elsewhere, for up to nine months: £13,761 or £10,539.
- Fees. The Student visa application fee from outside the UK is £558, plus the Immigration Health Surcharge of £776 for each year of the visa.
Australia: a higher visa charge
- Student visa charge of AUD 2,500 from 1 July 2026, up from AUD 2,000. The Temporary Graduate visa rose to AUD 5,750 on the same date.
- Living costs of AUD 29,710 a year for the main applicant have applied since 10 May 2024 when you show financial capacity.
United States: fees around the F-1 visa
- The F-1 visa application fee is $185, and the SEVIS I-901 fee is $350.
- A new $250 visa integrity fee is being collected at some US consular posts after a visa is approved. Follow the instructions of your consulate and keep the receipt.
Germany: the blocked account and the new dMAT
- The blocked account for a student visa stays at €11,904 a year, which lets you withdraw €992 a month.
- For APS applications relating to the summer semester 2027 intake and later, APS India requires the dMAT for Master’s applicants in the fields it lists. Read our dMAT and APS India guide for the exemptions, fee and dates.
Netherlands, Sweden and Ireland
- Netherlands: university and HBO students must show €1,130.77 a month for 2026.
- Sweden: the maintenance requirement for applications made in 2026 is SEK 10,656 a month. The residence permit fee is SEK 1,500.
- Ireland: since 30 June 2025, students on a one-year course must show access to €10,000.
What to do with this
Re-check your budget against the new proof-of-funds figures, especially for the UK and Australia, and build the higher visa charges into your first-year costs. If post-study work is central to your plan, weigh the UK’s 18-month Graduate Route against Germany’s 18-month job-search permit, Ireland’s stay-back and Australia’s post-study visa. Our counsellors can put the numbers for your shortlist side by side in a free session.
Quick answers
Is the UK Graduate Route being reduced?
Yes. For Graduate visa applications made on or after 1 January 2027 the visa lasts 18 months instead of two years. PhD graduates still receive three years.
What is the Australian student visa fee in 2026?
The standard Student visa application charge is AUD 2,500 from 1 July 2026, up from AUD 2,000.
How much is the German blocked account in 2026?
€11,904 a year, which allows withdrawals of €992 a month.
