Canada is one of the top study abroad destinations for international students across the world. Every year many thousands of students around the world fly abroad to Canada for their higher education. The country offers many facilities to international students, which results in a considerable increase in the student flow to it. However, this year Canadian government has released some amendments to the rules regarding international students’ arrival in Canada. Rest assured.
You can learn all about the updates by contacting Guidance Plus, the top Canada education consultants in Kerala. Here in this blog, we are providing you with some insights about these rule changes.
What are the major updates about studying in Canada ?
Why Should You Choose Canada education Consultants in Kerala?
The flow of international students to Canada seeking better educational pursuits has increased tremendously in the near past. Due to this increase, the country has implemented new rules and regulations. It includes a cutting-off in the percentage of the number of students admitted to Canadian educational institutions. These are a few of the significant updates that the government has suggested.
Here is the first update. International students who enroll in a study program that is part of a curriculum licensing agreement will no longer be qualified for a post-graduation work permit once they graduate, effective September 1, 2024. According to curriculum licensing agreements, students attend a private college on campus with a license to offer courses from a related public institution. Although these programs have less monitoring than public universities and serve as a loophole for eligibility for work permits after graduation, they have experienced a considerable increase in the number of overseas students enrolled in them in recent years.
Secondly, all new international post-secondary students, whether undergraduate or graduate, must submit a provincial attestation letter (PAL) from their home province or territory along with their study permit application. Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will return any application that does not include a PAL unless an exemption applies. This attestation serves as proof that the student’s allocation within the national cap is based on a province or territory. There will be a greater emphasis on the verification of foreign student visas too. Post-secondary designated learning institutions have been obliged to verify with IRCC each acceptance letter that an applicant from outside Canada submits starting on December 1, 2023. This is to protect prospective students from fraud. This enhanced verification process ensures that study permits are only issued on the basis of genuine letters of acceptance.
Starting on February 15, 2024, master’s program graduates will be able to apply for a 3-year work permit. The existing regulations restrict master’s graduates’ ability to obtain work experience and maybe transition to permanent residency by limiting a post-graduation work permit’s duration only to the duration of the individual’s studies program.
To stabilize the growth rate for two years, the Government of Canada intends to impose an intake cap on applications for international student permits. According to expectations, the cap will lead to roughly 3,60,000 authorized study permits in 2024. That is a 35% drop from 2023. To ensure equity, population-based caps on individual provinces and territories have been set. This will cause far more decreases in areas where the population of international students has had the most unsustainable growth. There won’t be any effect on study permit renewals. Moreover, the cap does not apply to those seeking master’s and doctorate degrees and those studying elementary and secondary education. Also, it will not affect those who currently hold study permits.
However, these caps won’t have an impact on people who already have study permits or those who want to renew their permits. Pursuits for master’s and doctorate degrees are similarly free from these restrictions. The purpose of these interim measures is to last for two years. After this year, there will be a new evaluation of the number of applications for study permits that will be approved in 2025.
On January 1, 2024, the cost-of-living requirement for study visa applicants was changed to more accurately reflect the true cost of living in Canada and reduce student vulnerability to exploitation. The increased cost of living criteria applies to all candidates who submit on or after January 1, 2024. The new cost of living is $20,635 in addition to the first year’s tuition and travel fees for study permits in Canada. Moreover, the number of family members who accompany an international student increases the necessary living expenditures.
There are some changes concerning the spouse’s open work visas. Spouses of international students enrolled in master’s and doctorate programs will be the only ones eligible for open work visas. Spouses of foreign students enrolled in undergraduate and graduate programs at other levels of education will no longer be qualified.
If you are eager to know more about the prospects of abroad education in Canada, we can help you. We are one of the top Canada education consultants in Kerala.
Conclusion
Canada is still a dream destination for many students to secure their higher education. You may find it troublesome to plan your education in Canada after knowing these new regulations. But, with proper guidance and support it won’t be any difficult for you to study in Canada. Guidance Plus being the best agency for Canada student visa in Kerala, is here to assist you. We have an expert team with British Council-trained student counselors and a documentation team for your assistance. However, we will help you in securing your higher education in a top Canadian university easily.
You can contact us, the best agency for Canada student visa in Kerala, at any moment for any clarifications.
