Dec 21, 2023
Canada has always been a top preference for international students to study. Among the many top reasons, one of the remarkable reasons for this growing preference is the country’s international student-friendly rules and inclusivity.
Keeping up with the latest announcements and measures pertaining to the country’s International Student Program and curbing fraudulent practices, the Canadian Government has recently announced revised requirements to better protect international students.
So, if you are planning to study in Canada in 2024, then this news update is for you. Read on to know more about these latest changes that have been stated by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
To ensure that international students are financially prepared for life in Canada and focus completely on their higher education, a major change in the financial requirement has been announced by Mr. Marc Miller, the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship. Considering the significant increase in the living costs, the figure which was earlier set at CAD $10,000 in the early 2000s is being modified. As such, effective from 1st January 2024, the cost-of-living requirement for study permit applicants has been revised to $20,635.
This revised financial requirement threshold will be adjusted each year when Statistics Canada updates the low-income cut-off (LICO). For now, representing 75% of LICO, $20,635 of living expenses will be adequate for international students to comfortably live in Canada. Furthermore, students will also have to showcase their first year of tuition and travel costs. This revised cost will be applicable to all the new study permit applications who will be applying on or after January 1, 2024. Additionally, this new financial guideline will apply to the Student Direct Stream (SDS) applications as well.
In addition to the revised cost-of-living threshold, Minister Miller has also announced official updates on 3 temporary policies that concern international students. Since these policies were bound to expire at the end of 2023, here are the updates that you must know.
International students who are already residing in Canada and who have submitted their applications for a study permit until 7th December 2023, will get a waiver on the 20-hour-per-week limit for off-campus work. This waiver has been extended until 30th April 2024, thus permitting international students to work for more than 20 hours per week during their semesters.
An update has been made to the Distance Learning Facilitation Measure, allowing students to include online study time towards their future post-graduation work permit. If you start your study program before September 1, 2024, you're eligible for this extension. Just note that this doesn't apply if your program begins on or after this date.
Acknowledging the labour market disruptions in the country during the pandemic and post-pandemic recovery, a temporary policy of providing an additional 18-month work permit to post-graduation work permit was announced on 3 occasions. Those with a post-graduation work permit expiring by December 31, 2023, will stay eligible to apply. However, this temporary policy won't receive any further extensions.
So, if you are an international student planning your higher education in Canada, then you must get started with your application process for the upcoming academic year at the earliest. If these updates are raising numerous questions in your mind, then now is the right time for you to seek expert assistance. Get all your Canada study permit questions answered by KC’s Canada experts. Our experts not only guide you through these updates but also provide you with comprehensive end-to-end assistance for your study abroad aspirations.
So, connect with our team today and simplify your process of studying in Canada.