Canada Student Visa Rules Changes 2024: Key Updates and Impacts

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Canada Student Visa Rules Changes 2024 – In 2024, Canada is set to implement significant changes to its student visa rules.

These changes are aimed at managing the influx of international students and ensuring the integrity of the Canadian education system.

This article provides an overview of these changes and their potential impact on students planning to study in Canada.

Cap on Study Visas

• Reduction in Study Permits: The IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) has set a temporary cap on the number of study visas.
• In 2024, approximately 360,000 study permits will be granted, marking a 35% decrease from 2023.

Provincial Caps

• Distribution by Province: Caps are introduced for each province and territory, weighted by population.
• This measure aims to control the growth rate of international student populations, especially in provinces experiencing unsustainable increases.

Exemptions

• Not Affecting Masters and Doctorate Students: The cap will not apply to individuals pursuing master’s and doctorate degrees.
• Current study permit holders or those renewing their permits are also exempt.

Attestation Letter Requirement

• New Requirement from 2024: Starting January 22, 2024, all study permit applications must include an attestation letter from a province or territory.
• The procedure for obtaining these letters is expected to be established by PTTs by March 31, 2024.

Changes to Post-Graduation Work Permit Eligibility

Modifications to PGWP

• Exclusion of Certain Programs: From September 2024, international students enrolled in study programs under curriculum licensing arrangements will no longer be eligible for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).

Impact on International Graduates

• Work Permit Duration for Master’s Graduates: International graduates from Master’s programs can apply for a three-year work permit, whereas the current policy ties the PGWP duration to the length of the study program.

Updates on Open Work Permit

Eligibility Changes

• Restriction to Spouses of Masters and Doctoral Students: The IRCC will soon provide more information about open work permits for spouses of international students.
• Only spouses of students enrolled in master’s and doctoral programs will be eligible for open work visas.

Addressing System Integrity Challenges

Minister’s Statement

• Rationale Behind Changes: Immigration Minister Mark Miller expressed concerns about the strain on resources and system integrity due to the increasing number of international students.
• The changes aim to ensure that educational institutions provide adequate support and maintain quality education.

Impact on Universities

• Pressure on Facilities: The sharp rise in international student numbers has reportedly put pressure on housing, healthcare, and other facilities in Canada.

Statistics and Additional Measures

International Student Numbers

• Student Population in Canada: Over 800,000 international students were welcomed in 2022, and this number rose to over 900,000 in 2023.

Provinces’ Role

• Designated Learning Institutions: There’s concern over the liberal regulatory structure of designated learning institutions in provinces. This calls for more rigorous discussions and regulations.

Cost of Living Adjustment

• Increase in Living Cost Threshold: The cost of living threshold for international students has been raised from $10,000 to $20,635, reflecting the real cost of living in Canada.

Efficient Processing

• Faster Permit Processing for Eligible Institutions: Starting 2024, eligible designated learning institutions (DLIs) will benefit from faster study permit processing.

Conclusion

The changes to Canada’s student visa rules in 2024 are significant and are expected to impact many prospective international students.

While they aim to ensure the quality and sustainability of Canada’s education system, students and universities alike need to adapt to these new regulations.

It’s essential for students to stay informed and prepare accordingly for their educational journey in Canada.