Multi country joint application has become mainstream, and the 2026 Shanghai Study Abroad Expo brings universities and planners to the scene

Multi country joint application has become the mainstream choice

For many families, studying abroad is no longer as simple as' smashing a prestigious school in a country '. How many schools to apply to, which country to choose, and how to control costs and risks are increasingly being carefully considered by students and parents.

In the past, most study abroad applications revolved around a single country. A significant change in 2026 is that multi country joint application is becoming mainstream. The Development Report on Chinese Students Studying Abroad shows that over half of the intended international students plan to apply to universities in 2 to 3 countries or regions simultaneously, with the UK, Hong Kong, and Singapore becoming popular joint application combinations. The report also mentioned that Hong Kong, China has surpassed the United States for the first time, becoming the second most popular destination for mainland students intending to study abroad.

The reason why multi country joint application is popular is clear: different countries have different policies and admission rhythms, and at the same time, application can disperse the uncertainty of a single country and give students greater choices. For applicants, this is not greed, but a rational strategy to seize opportunities in their own hands.

Multi country joint application has higher requirements for time management. The application deadline, language proficiency requirements, and visa processing pace vary from country to country. Students need to make an overall plan one to two years in advance, staggered scheduling of language exams, material preparation, application submission, visa processing, and other milestones. Proper time planning is essential for joint application to play a role in risk diversification; Improper arrangements may lead to confusion and chaos.

It should be noted that Lianshen is not blindly overinvesting. Applicants should first clarify their professional direction and preferences, and then choose a combination of universities that match their goals, in order to avoid excessive dispersion of energy. Moderate quantity and precise goals are the prerequisites for Lianshen to realize its value.

Young Study Abroad: Planning in Advance

Another trend is studying abroad at a young age. More and more families are considering studying abroad at the junior high or even elementary school level, hoping that their children can adapt to the overseas education system earlier.

The destination choices for young students studying abroad are also changing. In addition to the traditional UK and the US, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and some Asian countries and regions have attracted attention due to cost-effectiveness and policy dividends. Taking Canada as an example, K-12 students studying abroad at a young age are relatively friendly in some policy arrangements, which has attracted the attention of many families.

For young study abroad families, the assessment is not only about the school situation, but also includes details such as accompanying study policies, language environment, guardian arrangements, and long-term connections. These pieces of information often require in-depth communication with professional institutions familiar with the local situation.

It is worth noting that planning for studying abroad at a young age is usually not completed in one consultation. The entire process, from initial destination screening, to school application, visa processing, pre departure preparation, and adaptation upon arrival, is quite lengthy. Establishing contacts with professional institutions in advance and advancing in stages is a prudent approach adopted by most families. With the acceleration of policy and institutional information updates, study abroad planning is increasingly shifting from temporary preparations to long-term preparations.

Cost and Policy: Hard Indicators to Compare Before Choosing a School

Choosing a study abroad destination, cost and policy are inseparable hard indicators. In terms of tuition and living expenses, there are significant differences between different countries, and the expenses in popular cities and ordinary cities are also far apart. In terms of policies, visa approval rates, post graduation work and residence arrangements, and accompanying study policies will all affect the study abroad experience and subsequent development. Comparing these indicators in the same table is often more practical than just looking at the school's reputation.

Several issues that cannot be avoided in study abroad planning

Whether undergraduate or young, studying abroad planning cannot avoid several common issues.

Cost budget. The tuition fees and living costs vary significantly in different countries and stages, and need to be calculated in advance. Application strategy. School selection, document preparation, and timing directly affect the application results. Policy changes. Visa, quota, and admission rules may all be adjusted, and information should be timely. Return to China for connection. It is recommended to think carefully about the choice of major and career planning during the application stage. These issues are intertwined and often require students and parents to collect information on their own, which is time-consuming and incomplete.

For young students studying abroad, parents also need to pay attention to whether their children can adapt to independent living, whether the language and cultural connection is smooth, and whether the guardianship arrangements are in place. These soft factors often have a greater impact on the study abroad experience than the choice of school itself. Having in-depth communication with experienced planners can help families prepare psychologically and practically in advance.

Expo: a gathering of universities, planners, and information

The study abroad section of this expo has brought together overseas university resources, study abroad service agencies, and professional planners on the same site.

Students and parents can directly understand the situation, application requirements, and fees of universities in different countries on site, consult with planners about application pace and document preparation, and also verify in person the connection issues of studying abroad at a young age. Compared to scattered online searches, on-site communication is more direct and can effectively reduce information asymmetry.

On site, families can receive information on universities and policies from different countries, consult with planners about application procedures, and confirm specific issues such as fees, visas, and accompanying students in person. Different institutions have different focuses, and after horizontal comparison, families can have a clearer understanding of which type of service is more suitable for themselves.

For study abroad families, the Expo also provides a rare opportunity to exchange ideas with representatives and service organizations from multiple countries and regions, and to understand the differences in different education systems at once. This horizontal comparison is often more helpful in forming an overall judgment than searching for a single country separately.

The value of exhibiting and viewing

For universities and study abroad service agencies, the Expo is an opportunity to directly reach potential families. Among the audience of about 8000 people in three days, a considerable number of them are students and parents with clear study abroad plans, and the communication is highly targeted. Exhibitors can showcase project features, collect real needs, and observe the practices of peers on site.

For exhibition families, free admission allows them to have access to multiple universities and institutions in multiple countries at once, saving a lot of search time. It also allows for horizontal comparison of the direction and quality of different services, laying a solid foundation for subsequent decision-making.

For study abroad families, combining online inquiry, exhibition communication, and institutional consultation can provide a more comprehensive understanding of information. The value of exhibitions lies in providing a centralized platform for comparison, helping families complete initial screening in a shorter period of time and gain in-depth understanding of key targets.

For universities, participating in the Expo is a direct opportunity to showcase their enrollment to Chinese families, providing on-site answers to parents' questions about courses, fees, and admission conditions. For service agencies, it is an opportunity to showcase their professional abilities and collect real needs. Among the audience of about 8000 people in three days, a considerable proportion of those who intend to study abroad have high communication efficiency.

Exhibition Information

The Overseas Immigrant Study and Property Expo, as well as the Enterprise Overseas Development and Financial Services Expo, will be held from November 20 to 22, 2026 at the Shanghai World Trade Exhibition Center (No. 99 Xingyi Road, Changning District, Shanghai) for three days, with an expected reception of about 8000 visitors.

To participate, observe or learn more, please call the exhibition hotline 13681692751 (same as WeChat) or visit the official website www.qs-expo.com.