New Rules for International Students in Canada: What You Need to Know in 2024

Studying in Canada Gets Tougher with New Rules for International Students

Starting in 2024, Canada has introduced many changes to its international student program, including a temporary cap on the number of study permits and revised postgraduate work permit eligibility criteria. This major shift by the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) aims to ensure the quality of education and manage the influx of international students effectively.

Key Changes and Their Impact

Cap on Study Permits:

1. Two-Year Limit [temporary]:

just 364,000 new study permits shall be approved for the year 2024.

1. Introduction of Managing Resources:

This cap should help in balancing the number of students coming in with the capacity of institutions of canada.

Understanding the New Cap: Crunching the Numbers

Category	Details
Total Study Permit Target 2024	485,000
Extensions and Renewals	Approximately 97,000 (20% of international students)
Buffer	24,000 permits to account for potential fluctuations
New Study Permits	364,000 permits allocated for new international students

New Study Visa Rules

According to the predicted statistics institutions of Canada believe to receive 600,000+ study permit applications in the year 2024. Since there is only an approval rate of 60%, therefore only 364,000 applications can be approved. The total number of new international students admitted will be approximately equal to the number of students whose permits expire in that year.

Revised Postgraduate Work Permit Eligibility:

1. Private Colleges:

Students must note that certain private colleges will no longer stay eligible for work permits.

1. Effective Date:

Effective from May 15, 2024.

1. Spouse Work Permits:

Spouses of students in master’s, doctoral, or professional degree programs will be eligible for open work permits.

Increased GIC Requirement:

New Requirement: CAD 20,635, up from CAD 10,000.
Effective Date: Starting January 1, 2024.

Short-Term Impacts

Increased Competition:

1. Increased Competition:

There is a possibility of increased and a sense of tightened competition in many Canadian provinces, especially in provinces like Ontario and British Columbia.

1. High Admission Standards:

Universities may raise standards which will make it harder to secure a spot.

Administrative Bottlenecks:

1. Application Delays:

Students in the process might experience delays or rejections.

Financial Strain:

1. Higher GIC Requirement:

Potentially reduces applications from middle-income families.

Disqualification of Private College Graduates:

1. Reassessment Needed:

Students enrolled or considering private colleges may need to reassess their plans.

Long-Term Impacts

Diversification of Smaller Provinces:

1. Shift to Smaller Provinces:

Students might consider less popular provinces like Alberta, Québec, Saskatchewan, Newfoundland, Labrador, and Manitoba.

Improvement in Education Quality:

1. High Standards:

Increased inspections will improve teaching quality over time.

Improved Infrastructure:

1. Reduced Pressure:

Fewer international students will ease pressure on housing and healthcare systems.

Impact by Province

Province	Impact
Ontario	55% reduction in study permit approvals; increased competition for university spots
British Columbia	Pausing new accreditations; increased inspections for education quality
Nova Scotia	Capping tuition hikes; boosting university funding; 12,900 permits allocated

Will Diplomatic issues create a problem for Indian Students’ Dreams of Studying in Canada?

Diplomatic disputes between Canada and India have already impacted the number of study permit applications from Indian students. Delays and backlogs have resulted from the expulsion of Canadian diplomats responsible for processing these permits. This situation, coupled with the new study permit policies, may lead Indian students to seek alternative countries with more stable diplomatic relations and fewer administrative hurdles.

How Visa Solutions 4u Can Help

Visa Solutions 4u offers expert guidance to navigate these changes:

1. Personalized Assessments:

Evaluate your eligibility and provide tailored advice.

1. Application Assistance:

Help you prepare and submit your study permit application accurately.

1. Compliance Guidance:

Ensure you meet all new requirements and deadlines.

1. Ongoing Support:

Offer end-to-end support throughout your immigration journey.

With Visa Solutions 4u, you gain the expertise and support needed to successfully study in Canada, even amidst new and challenging regulations.

Stay updated on the latest changes in Canadian immigration policies.