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Canada Announces Major Changes to Study Visa Programme, 2024

International migration has drawn a positive graph over the decades. According to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), there were around 281 million international migrants in the world in 2020. This is about 190 million more than the data from 1990.

The recent influx of student migration also adds up to this huge volume of migrants living in a country other than their own. According to the Migration Data Portal, the number of such internationally mobile students is increasing and destinations diversifying.

Canada is one of the primary choices for this student immigration. According to the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the country has witnessed a consistent increase in international students.
The point is immigration in general and student immigration in particular has been putting a growing strain on the resources of developed countries including Canada.

This is what is reflected in the major changes in Canada study visa program for 2024 which has been announced by the end of 2023. Moreover, it has also reflected the need to check the financial aspirations of educational institutions. A seamless immigration process needs a better understanding of these changes.

What is in store for us?

1. Downsides that need preparation

Two-Year Cap:

Nearly 5, 60,000 study visas were issued last year. In 2024 this is expected to reduce to 3, 64,000 with a two-year cap. This is a 35 percent reduction.

Revised Cost of Living:

The cost of living requirement was CAD Dollar 10,000. From 1st January 2024, this is set to increase to 75 percent of LICO ( low-income cut-off). This will amount to 20,635 CAD. Students will also have to showcase the first year of tuition fees and travel costs in addition to this amount.

Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP):

International students under curriculum licensing arrangements are not qualified for this program. This bar will start in effect from September 2024.

2.Bright Sides

The underlying reasons for regulation:

The Ministry of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship expressed concerns over Canada student visas being allotted without enough preparation. The increasing inflow of students on temporary visas has resulted in strains in the housing industry. Moreover, educational institutions often avail admissions for financial reasons. This results in a lot of immigrants facing a lack of educational infrastructure that meets the demands.

The revision in the cost of living was much needed considering the increased cost of living compared to the standards of the early 2000s.

To sum up, the major changes in Canada study visa programe are also delivered to ensure the well-being of immigrant students.

Possible Revisions:

The two-year cap is not rigid. It will be reassessed by the end of 2024 to decide on the student visa approval for 2025.

The 3-Year Work Permit

Graduates from master’s programs and short graduate-level programs are offered to apply for a 3-year work permit. The Master’s students who have been limited to the PGWP program that ends with the duration of the study program will benefit from this.

Temporary Policies

The already residing international students in Canada who have applied for a student visa before 7th December 2023 will get a waiver on the 20 hours per week work limit until 31st April 2024. This will allow them to work for more than twenty hours a week.

Also, students who have a PGWP that expires by December 31, 2023, can apply for an extension of 18 months. This is an accommodation for the work disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

3. Who is not affected by the Cap?

The cap will not affect existing study permit holders or the ones who need a renewal. Masters and Doctorate degrees are also exempted.

Conclusion

In a nutshell, these major changes in Canada study visa programe benefit the students with security and job assurances. Moreover, other policy decisions are designed in a way to benefit the already existing group of international students. Also escalating the application process will help you to effectively leverage those policy implementations.

Maneuvering this changing landscape of international student migration is easier with the support of an expert. This is where immigration consultants like Trenity Immigration consultants find their relevance. Our experienced team is equipped with updated knowledge of this industry to make your immigration hassle-free.