Canada Govt Changes Work Permit Rules, Increase Student Working Hours
Canada has introduced significant changes to its immigration rules, affecting international students. These changes include the discontinuation of extra work permit extensions, an increase in living costs, expanded work hours for students, and alternative options for those impacted to stay legally in Canada.
Key Points:
- End of 18-Month Work Permit Extensions:
- Canada will no longer extend the additional 18-month work permits after December 31, 2023.
- International students, including those from Nigeria, with post-graduation work permits (PGWPs) set to expire after December 31, 2023, will be affected.
- The decision poses challenges for those planning their next steps after their permits expire.
- Financial Requirements:
- The minimum cost of living financial requirement for international students has doubled, increasing by 106.4% to $20,635.
- This places a higher financial burden on prospective students, especially affecting Nigerians and other international students.
- Options for Affected Students:
- To avoid becoming illegal immigrants, affected students have alternative options.
- Options include marrying a Canadian Permanent Resident holder, seeking asylum, or obtaining a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) document from a Canadian employer.
- Extended Work Hours:
- The Canadian government has extended the waiver on the 20-hour-per-week work limit for international students.
- Students can work more than the previous 20-hour limit during class sessions until April 30, 2024.
- The waiver applies to students in Canada or those who applied for a study permit by December 7, 2023.
- New Rules for Verifying Admission:
- Starting from December 1, 2023, international students, including Nigerians, must verify their admission to prevent fraud.
- The verification requirement aims to protect genuine students from fraudulent activities.
Conclusion: Canada’s recent immigration policy changes demonstrate an evolving approach to student work policies. While the end of post-graduate work permit extensions presents challenges, the extension of work hours provides relief for current students. International students planning to study in Canada should stay informed and prepared to navigate these changes effectively for their educational and post-educational pathways.
