Major Changes to Canada’s International Student Policies in 2024

Canada government, Immigration Minister “Marc Miller”, has release some serious changes to immigrant student policy which will take into effect from next year 1st January 2024. These policies aim to address longstanding concenrs about financial well-being and overall experience of immigrant students in the canada.

Financial Requirement Doubled:

A significant increase in the financial requirements for new international students is the change with the greatest impact. Planned understudies will currently have to exhibit admittance to $20,635, over two times the longstanding prerequisite of $10,000 that has been set up for a long time. This change mirrors the public authority’s acknowledgment that the past monetary limit had not stayed up with the increasing cost for most everyday items, leaving a few understudies in an unstable monetary situation upon appearance in Canada.

Living Cost changes:

The new financial requirement will be subject to yearly changes based on Statistics Canada standards for living costs. This dynamic method aims to keep the financial criterion current and representative of the real expenditures students may incur while studying in Canada.

Concerns About “Puppy Mills”:

Minister Miller, during a press conference, expressed concerns about certain educational institutions operating as what he termed “puppy mills.” These institutions, he argued, were merely churning out diplomas without providing a legitimate and quality educational experience. Miller highlighted the need to identify fraud and abuse within the education system and emphasized the government’s commitment to protecting international students from potential vulnerabilities and exploitation.

Threats to Cap Visas and Shut Down Institutions:

In a stern warning, Minister Miller announced that the federal government is prepared to take decisive action, including capping visas and shutting down educational institutions, if provinces fail to address issues such as housing for international students. He specifically mentioned concerns about provinces where institutions are not providing adequate support for students or where questionable practices are observed.

Extension of Work Limits and Off-Campus Work Considerations:

Acknowledging the financial pressures on international students, the government has extended the temporary lift on the 20-hour work limit for these students until April 30, 2024. Furthermore, there is current discussion about increasing off-campus employment hours for international students to 30 hours per week while courses are in session. This move responds to the reality that a significant majority of international students already work more than the previous 20-hour limit.

Recognition for Quality Services and Housing Support:

As part of the comprehensive changes, the government introduced a new framework to recognize learning institutions that provide high-quality services and support, including assistance with housing. Minister Miller emphasized the expectation that learning institutions should only accept the number of students they can adequately provide for, house, or assist in finding off-campus housing.

These policy shifts underscore Canada’s commitment to enhancing the overall experience of international students, ensuring they arrive with the necessary resources to live and study comfortably in the country. While the changes address financial concerns, they also aim to tackle issues such as fraudulent educational practices and inadequate support, positioning Canada as a destination that prioritizes the well-being and academic success of its international student population. These policies for improvement represent a big step toward a more robust and supportive system for immigrant students in Canada, as the country strives to combine the economic benefits of international education with the duty of delivering a quality educational experience.