Amended criteria to enhance the safety and well-being of students from abroad.

‘Minister Marc Miller addresses vital changes for international students, revising living cost benchmarks and securing housing options. The focus is on safeguarding students from financial vulnerability, ensuring smooth integration into Canadian life.’

Canada, a premier choice for global learners, owes its appeal to esteemed academic institutions, inclusive society, and post-graduation practices. Despite enriching campus life and fostering innovation, international students face significant hurdles, including housing challenges. Minister Marc Miller recently disclosed that, starting January 1, 2024, financial requisites for study permit applicants will surge, aligning with the annual low-income cut-off updates.  Unaltered since the early 2000s, the outdated cost-of-living requirement fails to match inflation.  In 2024, a single applicant must exhibit $ 20,635, 75% of LICO, plus first-year tuition and travel costs.  The change applies to applications postmarked after January 1, 2024, aiming to thwart vulnerability, with tailored pilots forthcoming to assist diverse student groups. This initiative complements the October 27, 2023, reforms ensuring quality services and housing at learning institutions. Stringent measures, potentially visa restrictions, may be implemented before the September 2024 semester to ensure institutions adequately support international students,  necessitating collaboration among governments,  institutions,  and education stakeholders.

Minister Miller updated on three expiring policies for international students by extending the off-campus work limit waiver until April 30, 2024. Students in Canada and applicants by December 7, 2023, can work beyond 20 hours weekly.  Options for future policy changes, like raising work hours to 30 per week, are under consideration.  The measure allowing online study time towards post-graduation work permits, if under 50% of the program, continues until September 1, 2024, excluding programs starting after that date.  The policy granting an 18-month work permit extension for post-graduation permit holders expiring by December 31, 2023, won’t be prolonged. Addressing student vulnerability, the increased cost-of-living threshold enhances financial stability for incoming students in Canada.