This Week in Study Abroad (TWISA) is a weekly read on what current and prospective international students should be paying attention to, powered by Radius.
Vol. 03 · April 27 to May 5, 2026
TL;DR
Four shifts are quietly reshaping student mobility across the US, UK, and Europe.
- A US federal judge blocked a sweeping immigration application freeze affecting 39 countries
- US resumes visa processing for Nigerian & foreign doctors
- France is set to increase tuition for non-EU students
- The UK is facing scrutiny over rising student visa refusals
US Resumes Visa Processing for Nigerian & Foreign Doctors
Foreign doctors will be able to receive visas allowing them to practice in the United States, after the Trump administration quietly changed a policy to exempt them from a travel ban. A Department of Homeland Security policy stemming from a travel ban that was put in place in January had frozen decisions on visa extensions, work permits, and green cards for citizens of 39 countries. But late last week, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services updated its website to indicate that physicians would no longer be subject to the processing freeze.
Sources: NewYork Time, Newsweek
Federal judge blocks Trump's immigration application freeze
A US federal court has blocked the Trump administration’s attempt to freeze immigration processing for applicants from 39 countries. Julia Kobick ruled the policy was arbitrary and unlawful, stating there was no clear link between isolated incidents and a global processing halt. The policy had left thousands of applicants in limbo, unable to move forward with green cards or citizenship.
Source: Reuters,
France mandates higher tuition for non-EU students
Higher education minister Philippe Baptiste confirmed non-EU students will pay up to €3,941 per year for master's programs starting in 2026/27, compared to the current €254 most universities charge. Exemptions will be capped at 10% of students, with 60% of scholarships redirected to strategic fields like AI and quantum. Universities have warned that the policy contradicts France's values of openness.
UK Lords push back on rising student visa refusal rates
Baroness Warwick of Undercliffe raised concerns in the House of Lords over unexplained spikes in student visa refusals, processing delays, and a lack of real-time data sharing. The Home Office minister agreed to meet with Universities UK International to address compliance rules tied to the government's immigration white paper, which tightens Basic Compliance Assessment metrics for institutions.
Source: The Pie
Inside Europe
France is in transition. The country still aims to attract 500,000 international students by 2027, but the model is shifting from broad affordability to selective access. With tuition rising significantly and scholarships increasingly directed toward strategic fields such as AI and quantum, France is becoming more intentional about whom it attracts and supports.
Germany continues to stand out as one of the last major strongholds of high-quality, low-cost education. Its tuition-free public university system remains a powerful draw, reinforced by a national strategy focused on retaining international talent after graduation. As more students recognize its value, competition is steadily increasing.
Ireland is emerging as a premium alternative within the European Union, particularly for students seeking an English-speaking environment combined with access to the EU. This rising demand is already putting pressure on capacity and pricing. Ireland remains highly attractive, but it is moving toward a more competitive and time-sensitive market where delayed decisions may come at a cost.
Norway is taking a more deliberate and long-term approach. Rather than competing on volume, it is focusing on building deep academic and research partnerships across key global markets. Its tuition-free model continues to make it uniquely accessible, but its overall positioning is more selective and less commercially driven. Norway is best suited to students with strong academic profiles and a clear long-term vision, particularly those interested in research and innovation.
What to do this week
- If you’re applying to the US, prepare thoroughly for visa interviews; questions are getting more sensitive
- Lock in tuition and application payments early to avoid last-minute risk
- Apply across 2–3 countries to hedge against policy uncertainty
Delay, especially with cross-border payments, is still one of the top reasons students lose offers.
Bottom Line
The global education landscape is becoming more structured and selective. What used to be a straightforward path is now a moving target, shaped by policy shifts, pricing changes, and stricter oversight across destinations. The advantage now belongs to students who are early, informed, and intentional. Those who wait, guess, or rely on outdated assumptions are the ones most likely to get caught off guard.
We'll be back with the deets next Tuesday. Until then, your only job is to act.
Regards
The Radius Team
