Changes & Challenges: Canadian Policies For International Students 2024
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Are you also a student who has always dreamt of studying in Canada one day? The renowned universities in Canada attract a major section of students every year, but this might come to an end soon. If your study-abroad destination is Canada, then you must read this article to know the changes and challenges that come with the new rules for international students in Canada.
Statistics have shown that more than 5 Lakh international students are studying in Canada currently. However, the new rules in Canada for international students will change this number significantly. From work permits to possible deporting, being an international student in Canada is a quite difficult now.
New rules for Study Visa in Canada 2024?
Canada expected to receive about 606,000 study permit applications in the year 2024. However, due to the nationwide approval of permitting just 60% of these applications, only 364,000 students will get study permits in 2024. However, the exact permit cap remains unknown for now, as it will depend on the number of permits that expire this year.
Unfortunately, study permit cap are not the only new rules for international students in Canada 2024. The department of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has also revised the postgraduate work permit eligibility for international students. From September 1, 2024, students studying at several private colleges will not be eligible for work permits.
This change came into effect because some programs caused many students going to Canada for their education. As Marc Miller, Canada’s immigration minister said, “It is not the intention of this program to have sham commerce degrees and business degrees that allow people to come into the country and drive an Uber”.
Canada new immigration rules for international students
International students earlier needed to show CAD 10,000 in their bank account as proof of funds. However, from January 1st, 2024, the increase in cost-of-living fund requirement has made students show CAD 20,635 in their bank account to become eligible for pursuing a degree in Canada. This change came with the fact that the cost-of-living fund requirement was not changed even once in so many years, and the changes in economies in recent years call for a reformed rule. The requirement of CAD 10,000 per applicant led to the false belief of it being adequate in this growing economy. These changes came into existence from 1st January 2024.
Working hours for international students in Canada
A temporary change was made to the off campus working hours rule for international students earlier. The change allowed international students to work for more than 20 hours in a week, even when their classes were in session. This change ended on 30th April 2024.
However, from 1st May to 31st August 2024, international students could work off campus for just 20 hours in a week, and not more than that. Now, starting from September 1, 2024, international students can work for not more than 24 hours a week when their classes are in session.
Comparing it to the pre-pandemic time, 24 hours is more than those 20 hours per week rule. However, it was anticipated that IRCC would allow international students to work for 30 hours per week, which didn’t happen. These new rules for international students in Canada 2024 working hours have made many students wonder how they will pay their bills.
Work Permit for Spouses Restricted
The IRCC announced in January 2024 that from 1st January 2024, only spouses of international students who are pursuing master’s or doctoral programs will have open work permits. Any spouse of an international student pursuing undergraduate and college programs, will not be eligible for open work permit in Canada anymore.
What are some short-term impacts of these changes?
No matter how big or small a change is, every change comes with some short-term and long-term changes. The possible short-term changes that may take place after new Canada rules for international students are given below:
- Delays & Rejections
- Increased Competitiveness in Application Process
- For Restricted Spouse Work Permit
- Increase in Financial Problems
- Reassessing study plans
What are some long-term impacts of these changes?
Given below are some possible long-term impacts that may take place with the changes in rules for international students.
- Choosing Smaller Provinces
- New Institutes
- Improved quality of education
- Better Infrastructure for students
- Revised Policies
Conclusion
With these recent changes made by IRCC in the policies for international students, there are many factors that students now need to look after before they decide Canada as their study-abroad destination. So, read the above-mentioned changes thoroughly, and decide wisely. All the best!
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