Canada is one of the most popular study destinations for international students but it has issued some new rules for 2024 student visa.
If you are actively planning to study in Canada, you should be aware that the Canadian government has recently announced some changes to the study permit.
The new rules also affect the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) requirements.
This article provides some of the new 2024 rules for international students going to Canada.
Here are the rules below:
1. The is a temporary federal cap on international student intake: The number of study permits approved in 2024 is expected to reduce by 35 per cent over 2023 to 360,000. The cap for 2025 will be decided at the end of 2024.
2. Also, there are changes to Post Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) eligibility criteria: Foreign students starting study programmes in private colleges delivering licensed curriculum on or after September 1, 2024, will not be eligible for PGWPs.
3. Longer PGWPs for master’s graduates: Students who have completed their master’s programmess in Canada will soon be able to get three-year PGWPs.
4. There are changes to Spousal Open Work Permit eligibility: Only spouses of international students enrolled in master’s, doctoral, and professional programmes will be eligible for open work permits.
5. Updated cost-of-living requirements for students: Starting January 1, 2024, international students will need to show they have at least $20,635 (previously $10,000) to cover their living expenses (the requirement is different for students moving to Quebec).
It should be noted that the Canadian government, on January 22, 2024, announced a two-year intake cap on study permit applications.
It is expected that approximately 360,000 new study permits will be issued to international students in 2024—a 35 per cent decrease compared to 2023. The cap for 2025 will be determined at the end of the year.
Each province and territory will also have a cap on the number of new international students being enrolled in undergraduate programs.
Provinces that have seen the most unsustainable growth in international students will see sharper cuts in their study permit allocations. For instance, in Ontario, a 50 per cent reduction in study permit approval is expected.
Reasons for Canada enforcing international student cap
Over the last decade, the number of study permits being issued by the Canadian government has increased significantly. Unfortunately, the infrastructure required to support this influx of international students has not kept pace, creating pressure on the housing and healthcare systems.
Moreover, some private institutions have been accepting more international students to increase their revenues without improving admission and curriculum standards. This new study permit cap is aimed at giving the Canadian government time to build a Trusted Institutions Framework which will encourage Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) to maintain a high standard of education and help eliminate bad actors in the education sector.
This will also ensure that the international students arriving in Canada have the support they need to succeed academically and in other aspects of life.
How does the international student cap impact study permit applicants?
As an international student, you may be concerned about how this new cap might affect your chances of qualifying for a Canadian study permit. With fewer study permits being approved, it is expected that admission into Canadian DLIs will become more competitive.
If you are applying to a master’s or doctoral program in Canada, your chances of getting a study permit will likely remain unaffected. However, students enrolling in undergraduate programmes, such as bachelor’s degree, diploma or certificate, may find it more difficult to qualify for a study permit.
The reduction in the number of study permits issued is also expected to be more drastic in Ontario, British Columbia, and Nova Scotia, so students interested in these provinces may face greater competition.
