Canada has consistently been named one of the best countries worldwide for studying abroad.
However, in 2024, aspiring and existing international students in the country must take note of and adjust to new changes affecting them.
Significant new rules have been implemented, such as a lower annual issuance of approved study permits, higher cost-of-living requirements, and changes to PGWP eligibility.
This article covers the new rules for international students in Canada in-depth.
Key Takeaways
- In 2024, the Canadian government will only issue 360,000 study permits to international students.
- Students who will be studying in programs under private colleges’ curriculum licensing arrangements will no longer be eligible to obtain PGWP upon graduation.
- The cost of living requirements for international students has increased from $10,000 to $20,635 in all provinces and territories except Quebec.
New Rules for International Students in Canada – An Overview
To better uphold the integrity and balance of Canada’s immigration and education system, new rules have been established for international students in Canada. These include limiting the number of annual accepted international students, stricter PGWP eligibility, and higher cost-of-living requirements for each international student.
The Honourable Marc Miller, a member of Parliament, has stated that these additional measures aim to “protect a system that has become so lucrative that it has opened a path for its abuse.”
These new rules will primarily impact incoming international students in the country, with little effect on those who have already been studying in Canada prior to 2024 or the specific date of issuance of these new rules.
New Rules for International Students in Canada in 2024
If you are planning to be an international student in Canada, bear these new rules in mind as they directly affect the eligibility of your study permit application, work permits, and cost of living requirements.
Intake Cap on International Student Applications
The Government of Canada has set an intake cap of 360,000 newly approved study permits for 2024, which is approximately a 35% decrease from the number of applications from the previous year.
To keep the intake proportionate to the growth sustainability of the local international student population, provinces and territories would each have their own varying study permit caps.
International students with existing or renewable study permits won’t be affected by this cap.
Similarly, elementary and high school students and those pursuing doctoral or master’s degrees won’t be included in this limit.
Changes to the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)
Starting September 2024, international students attending programs that are part of private colleges’ curriculum licensing arrangements will no longer be permitted to obtain a post-graduation work permit after they graduate.
These colleges’ programs, which often have less supervision than their associated public colleges, have often served as a loophole for international students whose primary goal is not studying but earning post-graduation work permit eligibility.
On the other hand, international students who have graduated from master’s degree programs or completed eligible professional degree programs in PGWP-eligible universities will be allowed to apply for a 3-year PGWP.
Spousal Open Work Permit Eligibility
Spouses of international students in undergraduate or college programs will no longer be eligible for open work permits.
Only the spouses of students pursuing master’s and doctoral programs and those studying at PGWP-eligible institutions will retain the ability to obtain these permits.
For spouses of existing international students seeking to extend their current open work permit, these changes will not take effect, even if their partners are studying in programs that have recently been deemed non-eligible for PGWP.
Updated Cost of Living Requirement
In 2024, the cost of living requirement for aspiring international students in Canada has been updated to better reflect the current cost of living in the country.
In all provinces and territories except Quebec, the minimum financial support each student must have to be eligible to study in Canada has increased from $10,000 to $20,635. If you want to study in Quebec, the cost of living requirement now stands at a minimum of $15,078.
Students who want to bring additional family members into Canada must also prepare for higher financial support, ranging from an additional amount of $5,000 to $7,000 per person, depending on their family size.
Conclusion
These new rules for international students in Canada will reduce the influx of international students in the country, limit their access to post-graduate work permits, and create a higher barrier of entry for those aspiring to study in Canadian post-secondary institutions.
These changes aim to mitigate the impact of the historically high number of international students in Canada on the country’s immigration system.
However, the Government of Canada has emphasized that they will actively work on creating clear pathways toward permanent residence for international students equipped with in-demand skills, helping them better transition from being Canada’s students to entering its labour force.
FAQs
Is Canada rejecting student visas in 2024?
In 2024, Canada will reject student visa applications that fail to meet all its updated eligibility requirements. However, students with existing student visas won’t be affected by the acceptance cap or the updated cost of living requirements.
What is the minimum bank balance for a student visa in Canada?
In 2024, international students who want to study in Canada must have a minimum bank balance of $20,635. If you plan to study in Quebec, though, the cost-of-living requirement is lower, at $15,078.
Why is Canada refusing so many student visas?
Canada is refusing some student visas to manage the growing number of international students in the country. The higher barrier of entry also ensures that the system won’t be “abused” as a loophole to enter Canada for primary purposes other than studying.
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