Canada’s New Student Visa Rules May Impact Several Students

Canada has recently implemented major changes in their student visa rules for international students, affecting their plans for higher education. The Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Marc Miller, has introduced new financial requirements for study permit applicants, effective January 1, 2024. The cost-of-living financial requirement for study permit applicants will be raised to $20,635, up from the longstanding $10,000 requirement in place since the early 2000s. This adjustment is aimed at ensuring that international students are financially prepared for life in Canada.

The move is part of Canada’s effort to address the growing number of international students, with over 280,000 new study permits issued from January to June 2023, representing a 77% increase compared to the same period in 2022. The record-breaking enrollment in 2022 saw 551,405 international students from 184 countries, with 807,750 international students holding valid Canadian study permits by the end of the year.

The new financial requirement is intended to prevent student vulnerability and exploitation. It will be adjusted annually based on Statistics Canada’s updates to the low-income cut-off (LICO), representing the minimum income required to cover necessities without overspending. While this move may impact students and their families, it aims to create a safety net for international students by ensuring they have sufficient funds for their education and living expenses.

The policy changes also include updates on three temporary policies affecting international students:

1. Extension of the waiver on the 20-hour-per-week limit for off-campus work until April 30, 2024. This allows international students to work more than 20 hours per week while class is in session.
2. Continuation of the facilitative measure allowing students to count online study time towards the length of a future post-graduation work permit, applicable for students beginning a study program before September 1, 2024.
3. The temporary policy providing an additional 18-month work permit to post-graduation work permit holders will not be extended further. Foreign nationals with permits expiring up to December 31, 2023, remain eligible.

The changes aim to strike a balance between supporting international students and addressing the challenges they face, while also ensuring the economic contributions of international education to Canada, which accounts for more than $22 billion annually.

Canada’s new financial requirements for international students starting in 2024 are a significant development that aims to ensure students are financially prepared for their education and living expenses. While it may impact some families, the changes are seen by some as a positive move to provide a safety net for students and contribute to a more sustainable and supportive environment for international education in Canada.