Revised requirements to better protect international students in Canada update

Canada remains a premier destination for international students, offering top-tier educational institutions, a diverse and welcoming society, and the prospect of working or seeking permanent residence post-graduation. While these students contribute significantly to campus life and national innovation, they also face challenges, notably in securing adequate housing during their studies in Canada.

In response to these challenges, the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, recently announced a pivotal change effective January 1, 2024. The cost-of-living financial requirement for study permit applicants will be increased to ensure that international students are financially prepared for life in Canada. This adjustment will be annual, aligned with updates to the low-income cut-off (LICO) by Statistics Canada. LICO represents the minimum income needed to avoid spending an excessively high portion of income on necessities.

This financial requirement has not seen an update since the early 2000s, remaining stagnant at $10,000 for a single applicant. The 2024 threshold will be $20,635, representing 75% of LICO, in addition to the first-year tuition and travel costs. The change applies to new study permit applications received on or after January 1, 2024.

While this change aims to prevent student vulnerability and exploitation, recognizing that its impact may vary, there are plans for targeted pilots in collaboration with partners. These pilots will explore new strategies to assist underrepresented cohorts of international students.

This announcement follows recent reforms to the International Student Program, focusing on a new framework recognizing institutions providing top-quality services and support, including housing. Learning institutions are expected to admit only the number of students they can adequately support, aligning with the upcoming measures to ensure sufficient student support for the September 2024 semester. Collaboration with provincial and territorial governments, learning institutions, and education stakeholders is emphasized to set international students up for success in Canada.

Minister Miller also provided updates on three temporary policies affecting international students:

1. The extension of the waiver on the 20-hour-per-week limit for off-campus work until April 30, 2024. There is ongoing consideration for future options, such as expanding off-campus work hours to 30 per week.
2. The continuation of the facilitative measure allowing students to count time spent studying online toward the length of a future post-graduation work permit, applicable for students starting a program before September 1, 2024.
3. The non-extension of the temporary policy providing an additional 18-month work permit to post-graduation work permit holders beyond December 31, 2023.

The measures reflect a commitment to addressing issues that have made some students vulnerable while upholding the integrity of the International Student Program. The overdue adjustment to the cost-of-living threshold aims to ensure that students arriving in Canada are on a stronger financial footing as they embark on their educational journey. For Source details, you can read the full article here.   New Update From: Immigration, Refugees   on December 7, 2023—Ottawa

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