Usually, I refrain from personal opinions on immigration matters; I simply refer interested persons to official links of the agency concerned. However, the several misconceptions that the new IRCC changes regarding international students have generated require that I attempt to separate truth from myth.
Fact: The living expenses requirement for Candidates (Main Applicants) applying for a study permit in Canada was increased from CAN$10,000 CAD to CAN$20,635.
For ease of understanding, candidates applying with family members, can simply add CAN$5,559 for each additional family member.
For example:
If your 1st year tuition fee is CAN$18,000 and you are not applying with any family member:
Your POF = CAN$18,000 (1st year tuition) + CAN$20,635 (Living Expenses) + at least CAN$ 3,000 (Traveling expenses) = CAN$ 41,635 (minimum) – Note that prevailing official exchange rate applies.
When arranging your proof of funds, you are required to show proof of origin of the funds, having the required fund in your account balance is not enough.
IRCC has further stated that a cap will be implemented on the number of study permits that will be issued in 2024 to each province in Canada. Fact: For 2024, the cap is expected to result in approximately 360,000 approved study permits, a decrease of 35% from 2023.
Note: this Cap is NOT applicable to the following programs:
Master’s,
PhD, and
Kindergarten – Grade 12 students.
Current study permit holders are not affected.
Those looking to extend their studies will not be affected.
The Cap affects:
Undergraduate and Diploma programs
Graduate Diploma and Graduate Certificate programs
Provinces are now required to provide attestation letters to study permit affected applicants before they can submit their application on the IRCC portal. As from January 22, 2024, application of affected categories that is not accompanied by an Attestation Letter from the Province will be returned. Provinces are expected to conclude arrangements on how attestation letters will be issued on or before March 31, 2024.
Affected applicants are advised NOT to submit student visa applications until the provinces publish the framework and requirements for obtaining an attestation letter.
Open Work Permit for spouses of students The Open work permit provision for the spouse of a student in Canada is now limited to spouses of masters and PhD students. This regulation will be implemented in coming weeks Note: Spouses can continue to apply for dependent visit visas without work authorization. Minor Children under the age of 18 can still study in Canada on their Parent's student visa.
Starting September 1, 2024,international students who begin a study program that is part of a curriculum licensing arrangement will no longer be eligible for a postgraduation work permit upon graduation. Curriculum licensing agreements means students physically attend a private college that has been licensed to deliver the curriculum of an associated public college.
Note: If you are interested in an open work permit after your studies, it is safer to apply to Public Colleges or Universities as from September 1, 2024.
Graduates of master’s degree programs will soon be eligible to apply for a 3-year work permit. Before now, the length of a postgraduation work permit is based solely on the length of an individual’s study program. That is, if your program is 1 year long, you are only eligible to a 1 yr PGWP, this will soon change for Master’s degree graduates.
International students already in Canada, as well as applicants who have already submitted an application for a study permit as of December 7, 2023, will be able to work off campus more than 20 hours per week while class is in session until April 30, 2024. IRCC also hinted that the weekly hours of work allowed may be increased to 30 hours soon.
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