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. 14 · July 14th -July 21st, 2026.
TL;DR
TOP STORIES FROM ACROSS GLOBE
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USA reaches its H-1B Cap for FY 2027
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Temporary Residence Permission Renewal Measures in Ireland Extended Amid Processing Delays
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Canada: Permanent Residence Sponsorship Applications Under the Parents and Grandparents Program Pause Update
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UK Leads in Study Visa Issuance across the globe
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New Zealand Expands Pathway Student Visa from July 20th
USA
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has received enough petitions to meet the annual H-1B quota of 85,000 for Fiscal Year 2027, according to an agency announcement issued today. Employers had until June 30, 2026 to submit petitions for registrants selected in the FY 2027 lottery.
The announcement means that USCIS will not conduct a second cap lottery selection for H-1B employment in FY 2027,The USCIS announcement means that there are no further opportunities for cap-subject H-1B employment in FY 2027; however, USCIS continues to accept petitions for H-1B employment that are not subject to the cap, including extensions of stay, changes of employer, amended petitions, and employment that is exempt from the annual quota.
Source; Fragomen News
IRELAND
Ireland has introduced temporary measures to address delays in Irish Residence Permission (IRP) card renewal processing, allowing eligible individuals with pending renewal applications to continue traveling and, where applicable, living and working in Ireland until August 31, 2026, even if their IRP card has expired.
To benefit from these measures, individuals must have applied to renew their permission before their current IRP card expired and, for travel, must carry the Immigration Service Delivery travel notice alongside their expired IRP card; employment permit holders must also maintain a valid employment permit throughout the renewal process.
These temporary arrangements end on August 31, 2026, after which expired IRP cards can no longer be used for travel or re-entry, and the standard 12-week Notice to Employers policy for pending renewal applicants will resume.
Source; Fragomen
NEW ZEALAND
New Zealand is introducing significant updates to its Pathway Student Visa (PSV), offering international students greater flexibility, reduced administrative burdens, and expanded study options .
The Pathway Student Visa allows eligible students to complete up to three consecutive study programmes with approved education providers under a single visa, valid for up to five years . The updated rules are part of the government's broader "International Education Going for Growth" initiative, aimed at making New Zealand a more attractive destination for overseas students .
Source; Visas Update
CANADA
As of July 15, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has paused the intake of new applications under the Parents and Grandparents Program. Throughout 2026, the government will process only up to 15,000 permanent residence applications that were already submitted under the program.
Source; Fragomen News
UK
The UK, despite experiencing a 32% decline in visa issuance in Q4 of 2025, appears to have issued the most new study visas across all levels in the year, taking it ahead of all three major competitors for the first time since 2022.
The UK previously benefitted from disruption to competitors during and immediately after the Covid-19 period. It would now appear that the UK is once again benefitting from caps and visa refusals rates from competitor countries.
Source; PIE News
What to do this week
Based on this week's developments, here is exactly what a prospective international student should be doing right now:
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Targeting H-1B sponsorship after US studies: The FY2027 cap is filled and no second lottery is coming. If post-study work and sponsorship is central to your US plan, factor this into how you're thinking about the value of that pathway right now.
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In Ireland with an expiring IRP card: The temporary travel and work provisions end August 31. If your renewal is pending, get your Immigration Service Delivery travel notice in order now ,that window is closer than it looks.
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Applying to New Zealand has become much easier; start researching school and apply immediately
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Canadian family reunification applicants: The Parents and Grandparents Program is paused for new applications through the rest of 2026. If this affects your or a family member's immigration plan, explore alternative permanent residence routes in the interim.
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Deciding between the UK and other English-speaking destinations: UK study visa issuance is up despite the overall visa decline ,driven partly by tightening elsewhere. If Australia or the US has given you trouble, the UK's relative accessibility is worth revisiting.
IN SUMMARY;
Studying and immigrating abroad requires a lot of in-depth updated information. Policies are revised nearly every week. The best way to navigate and achieve your dreams is to stay updated.
We'll be back next Tuesday. Until then, your only job is to act on what you've just read
Regards,
The Radius Team
