Canada to Implement Significant Changes for Foreign Students Beginning in 2024:

The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced today a number of reforms addressing financial challenges and support for those pursuing education in Canada, in a significant step towards improving the experience of international students in Canada.

International Students' Financial Readiness

In order to guarantee that international students are suitably equipped for life in Canada, the cost-of-living financial requirement for study permit applicants will be increased as of January 1, 2024. Every year, the threshold will be modified in accordance with Statistics Canada's low-income cut-off (LICO), which is the lowest income required to meet basic needs. The antiquated financial requirement—which hasn't been updated since the early 2000s—is being addressed by this modification.

In 2024, one applicant will have to show $20,635, which is equivalent to 75% of LICO, plus their initial year's tuition and living expenses. The goal of the adjustment is to shield students from unexpected financial hardships when they get to Canada. Study permit applications received on or after January 1, 2024, will be subject to the new requirement.

Pilot Programs to Assist Underrepresented Groups:

Taking into account that each applicant will be affected differently by these changes, the government intends to work with partners to launch focused pilots in 2024. The aforementioned initiatives aim to promote inclusivity in the Canadian education system by investigating novel approaches to support international students from underrepresented cohorts.

Obtaining Sufficient Assistance from Educational Establishments:

The announcement, which highlights a new framework for identifying educational institutions that offer top-notch services and support, including housing, to international students, is in line with recent changes to the International Student Program. It is expected that educational institutions will only admit students who they can financially support. This will pave the way for actions, such as possible restrictions on visas, to guarantee that there will be enough financial aid for students by September 2024.

Changes Regarding Temporary Policies

Additionally, Minister Miller gave updates on three temporary measures pertaining to foreign students:

 

Students will have more flexibility as the 20-hour weekly cap on off-campus work will be waived until April 30, 2024.

Less than 50% of the study program may be completed online for students who begin their studies before September 1, 2024, in order to accrue credit toward a future work permit after graduation.

There will be no more extensions to the temporary policy that grants post-graduation work permit holders an extra 18 months of work permit, which expires on December 31, 2023.

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