Why is Canada changing its rules for international students?

On January 22, Marc Miller, the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, unveiled a plan to regulate the number of international students coming to Canada over the next two years. As part of this plan, the Canadian government has established a limit on the number of international student permit applications. For the year 2024, the cap is approximately 360,000 approved study permits, which represents a decrease of 35% compared to the prior year.

Impact on International Students:

• The newly introduced study permit cap will ensure that permits are distributed fairly across all provinces and territories, based on a system that takes each region’s population into account. This method is designed to guarantee an equitable allocation.
• From now on, every study permit application must include a letter of attestation from the respective region. This change is intended to make the allocation process more straightforward and efficient. Provinces and territories are expected to finalize their specific permit issuance protocols by March 31, 2024.
• Starting September 1, 2024, students participating in curriculum licensing arrangements will be ineligible for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) program.
• In a positive development, graduates with master’s degrees will now benefit from an extended 3-year work permit. This longer duration will provide them with a greater opportunity to gain valuable work experience and potentially ease their transition to permanent residency in Canada.
• The criteria for open work permits for spouses have also been modified. Only spouses of students enrolled in master’s or doctoral programs will be eligible. Regrettably, spouses of students in undergraduate or college programs will no longer be eligible for these permits.

What prompted the implementation of these recent changes in the international student program?

The alterations were initiated in response to concerns voiced by Minister Marc Miller and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau regarding the stability of the international student program. They pointed out that some educational institutions have significantly increased their intake of international students as a revenue-generating strategy. This has resulted in a surge of students entering Canada who may not receive sufficient support. Additionally, the rapid increase in the number of international students has placed extra pressure on resources like housing, healthcare, and various other services.

Consequently, these measures have been introduced with the aim of controlling the number of international students entering Canada, protecting them from exploitative practices, and encouraging a balanced approach to population growth.

Impact on Prospective International Students:

• Reduced Intake: The most significant impact of the new cap will be a reduction in the number of international students entering Canada with a student visa. The distribution of this cap will be carried out across provinces and territories, taking into account their respective populations. The government will now require attestation letters from these regions for each study permit application, aiming to make the allocation process more efficient. All provinces and territories are expected to set up their permit issuing procedures by March 31, 2024.
• Increase in GIC Requirement: Separately from the cap, starting January 1, 2024, prospective students applying for a 2024 study permit will need to show they have $20,635, on top of covering their first year’s tuition and travel expenses. This increase in the Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) is not a direct consequence of the cap but is an important change nonetheless.
• Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) Restrictions: Students who are part of study programs under curriculum licensing arrangements will no longer qualify for the post-graduation work permit once they graduate.
• Spousal Open Work Permit Limitations: The eligibility for open work permits for spouses will now be limited to those married to students in master’s or doctoral programs. This change means spouses of students in undergraduate and college-level programs will no longer be eligible for these permits.

Positive Impacts on Existing International Students in Canada:

• Benefit to Current Visa Holders: According to the minister’s announcement, international students who are already in Canada with a student visa will benefit from these changes.
• Extended Work Permit for Master’s Graduates: Graduates from master’s programs and other short graduate-level courses will soon be eligible for a 3-year work permit. This is a significant shift from the earlier policy, which tied the length of the post-graduation work permit to the duration of the study program. This extension gives master’s graduates an extended opportunity to acquire valuable work experience and potentially make a smoother transition to permanent residency in Canada.
• Enhanced Employment Opportunities for Spouses: The government’s focus on master’s and doctoral degrees is intended to offer better employment opportunities for spouses. This recognizes the effort and commitment required for pursuing advanced degrees.
• Work Permit Eligibility for Spouses: In a move that aligns with facilitating easier paths to permanent residency, spouses of students enrolled in master’s and doctoral programs will now be qualified to receive open work permits.