Canada, remaining one of the top choices for international students seeking higher education opportunities, has introduced new regulations for the 2024 student visa.
Prospective students should take note of these changes, as the Canadian government has updated the study permit criteria, impacting the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) eligibility as well. Here are some of the new 2024 rules for international students intending to study in Canada:
1. Updated cost-of-living requirements: From January 1, 2024, international students must demonstrate they have at least $20,635 to cover living expenses, with differing requirements for students relocating to Quebec.
2. Changes to Spousal Open Work Permit eligibility: Only spouses of international students enrolled in master’s, doctoral, and professional programs will qualify for open work permits.
3. Longer PGWPs for master’s graduates: Soon, students completing master’s programs in Canada will be eligible for three-year PGWPs.
4. Changes to PGWP eligibility criteria: Beginning September 1, 2024, foreign students commencing study programs in private colleges delivering licensed curriculum will not qualify for PGWPs.
5. Temporary federal cap on international student intake: The number of study permits approved in 2024 is expected to decrease by 35% from 2023, with a cap of 360,000 permits, while the cap for 2025 will be determined later in the year.
Additionally, each province and territory will impose a cap on the enrollment of new international students in undergraduate programs, with provinces experiencing unsustainable growth facing significant reductions. For instance, Ontario is expected to undergo a 50% reduction in study permit approvals.
The introduction of this cap aims to address the strain on infrastructure caused by the surge in international students over the past decade and to ensure high educational standards are maintained. While this may lead to increased competition for study permits, particularly in undergraduate programs and certain provinces, it ultimately aims to enhance the quality of education and support available to international students in Canada.