📅 What's Changing for Your Studies in Canada
Let's dive into the important stuff. Minister Miller, Canada’s Immigration Minister, has some news that will make your study plans in Canada smoother and more exciting.
🏡 Making Living Better for International Students
Starting January 1, 2024, there's a bit of a money tweak. The amount you need to show to study in Canada is going up. Why? To make sure you're ready for all the awesome things that come with studying here.
💰 Show Me the Money - The New Numbers
For 2024, if you're applying to study alone, you'll need to prove you have $20,635. That's 75% of the low-income cut-off (LICO), plus your first-year tuition and travel costs.
🤝 Trying Out New Ideas for Everyone
Minister Miller knows every student is different. So, in 2024, there will be some cool tests (pilots) to help all kinds of students. The goal? To make sure every student feels supported while studying in Canada. Stay tuned for those pilot programs.
🏫 Better Education, Better Life
Remember those changes to the International Student Program? Now, learning institutions are getting a makeover too! Canada wants to recognize schools that go above and beyond, offering great services, including comfy housing. Because happy students make successful students!
🚀 Getting Ready for September 2024
Come September 2024, it's game time! Canada is getting ready to put in some new rules, maybe even limiting visas. Why? To make sure your Canadian adventure isn't just about books but also about having the best time. 🎉
🔄 Updates on Temporary Policies
Waiver on 20-hour-per week cap on off campus work during academic session
The waiver on the 20-hour-per-week limit on the number of hours international students are allowed to work off campus while class is in session will be extended to April 30, 2024.
International students already in Canada, as well as applicants who have already submitted an application for a study permit as of December 7, 2023, will be able to work off campus more than 20 hours per week until that time.
Canada will continue to examine options for this policy in the future, such as expanding off-campus work hours for international students to 30 hours per week while class is in session.
Online studies
The facilitative measure that has allowed international students to count time spent studying online towards the length of a future post-graduation work permit, as long as it constitutes less than 50% of the program of study, will continue to be in place for students who begin a study program before September 1, 2024.
This measure will no longer apply to students who begin a study program on or after that date. Distance learning facilitation measures were first implemented in 2020 in response to travel restrictions during the pandemic, and were reduced in scope in September 2022.
At this point, the vast majority of international students are studying in person in Canada.
Post-Graduation Work Permit Extension
In response to labour market disruptions during the pandemic and post-pandemic recovery, a temporary policy was introduced on 3 occasions to provide an additional 18-month work permit to post-graduation work permit holders as their initial work permit was expiring. Foreign nationals with a post-graduation work permit expiring up to December 31, 2023, remain eligible to apply. However, this temporary policy will not be extended further.
"International students bring so much to our communities. We're making changes to make sure you understand the true cost of living in Canada, so you can focus on what matters – your success! - Minister Marc Miller
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