Cost to Learn English Abroad: 10 Destinations Compared (2026)
All-in weekly cost — a general English course plus homestay — and the student-visa financial requirement for 10 immersion destinations, from about $150/week. Every visa figure is sourced to a national immigration authority; cost ranges are indicative.
Quick answer
The cheapest countries to learn English abroad in WhereNext's 2026 dataset are the Philippines (~$150–280/week in Cebu) and Malta (~€200–280/week), while native-English immersion runs from ~$280/week in Cape Town up to $620–950/week in New York. Post-study work rights favour Ireland, the UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand; the US has the strongest schools but the hardest 2026 visa. Weekly costs are indicative; every student-visa figure is sourced to the national immigration authority.
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Key facts
- $150–280/wk Philippines (Cebu) — cheapest English immersion globally, 1-on-1 tuition the norm
- €200–280/wk Malta — cheapest EU country where English is an official language
- £1,483/mo UK student-visa funds requirement in London (£1,136 outside) — current since Jan 2025
- 6 of 10 destinations publish an official visa funds figure; the rest set it per institution
Cheapest country to learn English abroad
Quick answer
The Philippines is the cheapest country to learn English abroad in this registry, at $150–280 per week for a course and homestay in Cebu. This modelled range is indicative, and current prices should be confirmed directly with schools.
Cost of a four-week English course abroad
Quick answer
Four weeks of English classes and homestay in Cebu costs $600–1,120 in the Philippines. This modelled range is indicative rather than a quoted school price, and current prices should be confirmed directly with providers.
- Philippines — $600–1,120 for four weeks in Cebu — indicative
- Malta — €800–1,120 for four weeks in St Julian’s or Sliema (indicative US$860–US$1,220)
- New Zealand — NZ$1,920–2,720 for four weeks in Auckland/Wellington; NZ$1,520–2,080 for four weeks in Christchurch/Dunedin (indicative US$920–US$1,660)
- Australia — AU$2,320–3,280 for four weeks in Sydney/Melbourne; AU$1,680–2,480 for four weeks in Adelaide/Perth (indicative US$1,100–US$2,160)
- South Africa — R20,800–30,000 for four weeks in Cape Town (indicative US$1,120–US$1,600)
- Canada — CA$2,080–3,120 for four weeks in Toronto/Vancouver; CA$1,520–2,240 for four weeks in Halifax/Quebec City (indicative US$1,120–US$2,300)
- Ireland — €1,520–2,080 for four weeks in Dublin; €1,160–1,680 for four weeks in Cork/Galway (indicative US$1,260–US$2,260)
- United Kingdom — £1,400–1,920 for four weeks in London; £1,040–1,520 for four weeks in Manchester/Edinburgh/Brighton (indicative US$1,320–US$2,440)
- United States — $2,480–3,800 for four weeks in New York — indicative
- Singapore — SGD 3,400–4,800 for four weeks (indicative US$2,520–US$3,560)
Visa-friendly options to study English
Quick answer
For short English courses in the Philippines, students use a Special Study Permit (SSP); longer programmes use a 9F Student Visa. Neither route has a fixed published financial threshold: 9F applicants must show sufficient means of support, while an SSP costs about $200. Check the Philippine Bureau of Immigration before applying.
Philippines — Special Study Permit (SSP) for short courses; Student Visa (9F) for longer programs
Financial proof: No fixed published figure — 9F requires “sufficient means of support”; SSP is a permit (~$200) for short/non-degree courses
In study: None on SSP. Post-study: None.
Source: Philippine Bureau of Immigration · Checked 2026-07-08
Malta — National (Type D) Long-Stay visa (courses over 90 days)
Financial proof: €18/day if accommodation is prepaid, €26/day otherwise (or ≥75% of the national minimum wage per month), per Identità
In study: Only with a separate work permit (course at MQF Level 5+). Post-study: None.
Source: Identità (Central Visa Unit), Malta · Checked 2026-07-08
New Zealand — Fee Paying Student visa
Financial proof: NZ$20,000/year (or NZ$1,667/month for courses under a year)
In study: Up to 20 hrs/week term-time (varies by course). Post-study: Post Study Work Visa up to 3 years (by qualification level).
Source: Immigration New Zealand · Checked 2026-07-08
Australia — Subclass 500 Student visa
Financial proof: AU$29,710 in funds (12-month living costs, current 2026)
In study: 48 hrs/fortnight during term. Post-study: Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate — 2 to 4 years.
Source: Australian Dept of Home Affairs · Checked 2026-07-08
South Africa — Study visa (Section 13)
Financial proof: No fixed published figure — “sufficient financial means” (recent 3-month bank statement or institutional undertaking), per Immigration Regulations 2014
In study: Up to 20 hrs/week term-time. Post-study: None specific to language study.
Source: South Africa Dept of Home Affairs — Immigration Regulations 2014 · Checked 2026-07-08
Canada — Study Permit
Financial proof: CA$22,895 living funds (single applicant, outside Quebec, applications on/after 1 Sep 2025), plus tuition and travel
In study: Up to 24 hrs/week off-campus during term; unlimited on-campus. Post-study: PGWP up to 3 years (matches program length).
Source: IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) · Checked 2026-07-08
Ireland — Stamp 2 student permission
Financial proof: €10,000 per academic year (or €6,665 for courses under 8 months)
In study: 20 hrs/week term-time; 40 hrs in holiday windows. Post-study: Third Level Graduate Programme (Stamp 1G) — up to 24 months for degree graduates.
Source: Immigration Service Delivery (ISD), Ireland · Checked 2026-07-08
United Kingdom — Student visa (formerly Tier 4)
Financial proof: £1,483/month (London) or £1,136/month (outside London), for up to 9 months (current since 2 Jan 2025)
In study: Up to 20 hrs/week term-time at degree level (no work on sub-degree English courses). Post-study: Graduate Route — 2 years (3 for PhD); announced to reduce to 18 months for applications on/after 1 Jan 2027.
Source: UK Home Office / GOV.UK · Checked 2026-07-08
United States — F-1 Student visa (M-1 for vocational)
Financial proof: No fixed federal figure — set per school on the Form I-20 (must cover tuition plus living costs)
In study: 20 hrs/week on-campus during term. Post-study: OPT 12 months (+24 months for STEM degrees).
Source: USCIS / SEVP (Study in the States) · Checked 2026-07-08
Singapore — Student's Pass
Financial proof: No published minimum — ICA requires a declaration of financial support but sets no fixed bank-balance figure
In study: Generally restricted for Student's Pass holders. Post-study: No general post-study work right.
Source: ICA (Immigration & Checkpoints Authority), Singapore · Checked 2026-07-08
Two kinds of number on this page
- OfficialStudent-visa figures read off each country’s immigration authority on 2026-07-08 (Canada & Australia confirmed in-browser).
- IndicativeWeekly course + homestay costs are modelled from published provider rates — authorities don’t publish school prices. Verify current prices with providers.
10 Destinations, Cheapest Immersion First
🇵🇭Philippines
Asia
$150–$280/week all-in
$150–280/wk in Cebu (30-lesson intensive + homestay); Manila ~15% more
Student visa & funds
Special Study Permit (SSP) for short courses; Student Visa (9F) for longer programs
No fixed published figure — 9F requires “sufficient means of support”; SSP is a permit (~$200) for short/non-degree courses
Work rights
In study: None on SSP
Post-study: None
Cheapest English-immersion country globally; 1-on-1 tuition is the norm, so practice hours per dollar are high. Daily life is conducted in English.
🇲🇹Malta
Europe
$215–$305/week all-in
€200–280/wk in St Julian’s or Sliema (20-lesson course + homestay)
Student visa & funds
National (Type D) Long-Stay visa (courses over 90 days)
€18/day if accommodation is prepaid, €26/day otherwise (or ≥75% of the national minimum wage per month), per Identità
Work rights
In study: Only with a separate work permit (course at MQF Level 5+)
Post-study: None
Cheapest EU country where English is an official language. Requires enrolment at an ELT Council-licensed school.
🇳🇿New Zealand
Oceania
$230–$415/week all-in
NZ$480–680/wk Auckland/Wellington; NZ$380–520 Christchurch/Dunedin
Student visa & funds
Fee Paying Student visa
NZ$20,000/year (or NZ$1,667/month for courses under a year)
Work rights
In study: Up to 20 hrs/week term-time (varies by course)
Post-study: Post Study Work Visa up to 3 years (by qualification level)
Small, very safe, native-English. A new 6-month Short-term Graduate Work Visa is announced to open 16 Nov 2026.
🇦🇺Australia
Oceania
$275–$540/week all-in
AU$580–820/wk Sydney/Melbourne; AU$420–620 Adelaide/Perth
Student visa & funds
Subclass 500 Student visa
AU$29,710 in funds (12-month living costs, current 2026)
Work rights
In study: 48 hrs/fortnight during term
Post-study: Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate — 2 to 4 years
AU$29,710 confirmed in-browser on the Subclass 500 page (the site 403s automated fetches). Figure rose from AU$24,505 in May 2024.
🇿🇦South Africa
Africa
$280–$400/week all-in
R5,200–7,500/wk in Cape Town (20-lesson course + homestay)
Student visa & funds
Study visa (Section 13)
No fixed published figure — “sufficient financial means” (recent 3-month bank statement or institutional undertaking), per Immigration Regulations 2014
Work rights
In study: Up to 20 hrs/week term-time
Post-study: None specific to language study
Cheapest premium native-English immersion (Cape Town). English is one of the working languages of the urban core.
🇨🇦Canada
Americas
$280–$575/week all-in
CA$520–780/wk Toronto/Vancouver; CA$380–560 Halifax/Quebec City
Student visa & funds
Study Permit
CA$22,895 living funds (single applicant, outside Quebec, applications on/after 1 Sep 2025), plus tuition and travel
Work rights
In study: Up to 24 hrs/week off-campus during term; unlimited on-campus
Post-study: PGWP up to 3 years (matches program length)
CA$22,895 confirmed in-browser on the IRCC financial-support page (canada.ca 403s automated fetches). Figure rose from CA$20,635 in Sep 2025; adjusted annually.
🇮🇪Ireland
Europe
$315–$565/week all-in
€380–520/wk Dublin; €290–420 Cork/Galway (course + homestay)
Student visa & funds
Stamp 2 student permission
€10,000 per academic year (or €6,665 for courses under 8 months)
Work rights
In study: 20 hrs/week term-time; 40 hrs in holiday windows
Post-study: Third Level Graduate Programme (Stamp 1G) — up to 24 months for degree graduates
The only English-official EU member with a clear non-EU student-visa route. ILEP-listed English courses; minimum 25-week program for the permission.
🇬🇧United Kingdom
Europe
$330–$610/week all-in
£350–480/wk London; £260–380 Manchester/Edinburgh/Brighton
Student visa & funds
Student visa (formerly Tier 4)
£1,483/month (London) or £1,136/month (outside London), for up to 9 months (current since 2 Jan 2025)
Work rights
In study: Up to 20 hrs/week term-time at degree level (no work on sub-degree English courses)
Post-study: Graduate Route — 2 years (3 for PhD); announced to reduce to 18 months for applications on/after 1 Jan 2027
Graduate Route has no salary threshold or job-offer requirement. Funds figure rose from £1,334/£1,023 in Jan 2025.
🇺🇸United States
Americas
$620–$950/week all-in
$620–950/wk in New York (intensive course + accommodation)
Student visa & funds
F-1 Student visa (M-1 for vocational)
No fixed federal figure — set per school on the Form I-20 (must cover tuition plus living costs)
Work rights
In study: 20 hrs/week on-campus during term
Post-study: OPT 12 months (+24 months for STEM degrees)
Best universities and the largest language-school sector, but the hardest 2026 visa pathway (F-1 interview waits and approval variance).
🇸🇬Singapore
Asia
$630–$890/week all-in
SGD 850–1,200/wk (course + accommodation)
Student visa & funds
Student's Pass
No published minimum — ICA requires a declaration of financial support but sets no fixed bank-balance figure
Work rights
In study: Generally restricted for Student's Pass holders
Post-study: No general post-study work right
Asia's English-official hub — world-class but premium-priced. English is the working language.
Planning to stay after your course?
A language course is often the first step of a longer move. If you’re weighing where to settle, compare 95 countries across cost, safety, healthcare, visas, and post-study work — personalised to your situation.
Build your relocation case →Related guides
Common questions
What's the cheapest country to learn English abroad in 2026?▾
By all-in weekly cost (a general English course plus homestay), the Philippines is cheapest globally at roughly $150–280/week in Cebu, where 1-on-1 tuition is the norm. Malta is the cheapest option where English is an official EU language at about €200–280/week. South Africa (Cape Town) offers the cheapest premium native-English immersion at roughly $280–400/week. These are indicative ranges modelled from published provider and homestay rates — confirm current prices directly with schools.
How much does a four-week English course abroad cost?▾
Four weeks of English classes and homestay in Cebu costs $600–1,120 in the Philippines. This modelled range is indicative rather than a quoted school price, and current prices should be confirmed directly with providers.
Which visa-friendly options are available to study English?▾
For short English courses in the Philippines, students use a Special Study Permit (SSP); longer programmes use a 9F Student Visa. Neither route has a fixed published financial threshold: 9F applicants must show sufficient means of support, while an SSP costs about $200. Check the Philippine Bureau of Immigration before applying.
How much money do I need in the bank for a student visa?▾
It varies enormously and several countries publish no fixed figure. Where a figure is published (verified 2026): Ireland €10,000/year, UK £1,483/month in London (£1,136 outside), Canada CA$22,895/year, Australia AU$29,710/year, New Zealand NZ$20,000/year, Malta €18–26/day. The US, Singapore, South Africa, and the Philippines set no universal number — the amount is determined per institution or as 'sufficient means'. Always check the official immigration source linked in the table before applying.
Which countries let me work after studying English?▾
Post-study work is where the native-English destinations pull ahead: the UK Graduate Route gives 2 years (3 for PhDs, dropping to 18 months from January 2027), Canada's PGWP up to 3 years, Australia's Subclass 485 two to four years, Ireland's Stamp 1G up to 24 months, and New Zealand up to 3 years. Malta, the Philippines, and Singapore have no equivalent post-study work route for language students.
Are these visa figures current?▾
Every visa figure was checked against the destination's own immigration authority on 2026-07-08, and Canada and Australia were confirmed in a real browser because their government sites block automated fetches. Note that these thresholds re-float often — the UK figure changed in January 2025, Canada in September 2025, and Australia in May 2024 — so re-verify against the linked official source before making plans.
- Source: WhereNext modelled course + homestay bands; indicative, based on published provider and homestay rates.
- Source: WhereNext modelled course + homestay bands, multiplied by four; indicative.
- Source: Philippine Bureau of Immigration · Checked 2026-07-08
Cite this dataset
Suggested citation
CC BY 4.0This dataset is free to redistribute, quote, and embed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0. Use any of the formats below.
WhereNext. (2026). WhereNext Cost to Learn English Abroad 2026. Retrieved from https://getwherenext.com/data/cost-to-learn-english-abroad-2026?utm_source=internal&utm_medium=citation&utm_campaign=data-citation. CC BY 4.0.
WhereNext. "WhereNext Cost to Learn English Abroad 2026." WhereNext, 2026, https://getwherenext.com/data/cost-to-learn-english-abroad-2026?utm_source=internal&utm_medium=citation&utm_campaign=data-citation. Accessed via https://getwherenext.com/data/cost-to-learn-english-abroad-2026?utm_source=internal&utm_medium=citation&utm_campaign=data-citation. CC BY 4.0.
@misc{wherenext_getwherenext_com_data_cost_to_learn_english_abroad_2026,
author = {{WhereNext}},
title = {WhereNext Cost to Learn English Abroad 2026},
year = {2026},
url = {https://getwherenext.com/data/cost-to-learn-english-abroad-2026?utm_source=internal&utm_medium=citation&utm_campaign=data-citation},
note = {CC BY 4.0}
}<a href="https://getwherenext.com/data/cost-to-learn-english-abroad-2026?utm_source=internal&utm_medium=citation&utm_campaign=data-citation">WhereNext — WhereNext Cost to Learn English Abroad 2026</a>
Published under CC BY 4.0. Visa thresholds and course prices change — re-verify against each official source before publication or decision-making.
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