Are you soon to become an international student in Canada? Well, as the world of opportunity opens for you, there are also some essential rules and laws that every international student must know about.
These new rules for international students in Canada aren’t about restricting their experience. Instead, they are in place to provide you with a smooth study and cultural experience and set you up for success while you are in Canada.
So, are you interested in learning about all the new changes made or upcoming by the Canadian government for international students in 2024? Yes? Well, then let’s go.
5 New Rules For International Students in Canada 2024
1. Increase in Cost of Living
The new cost of living requirement of $20,635, on top of the first year’s tuition and travel expenses for Canada study permits, has come into effect for all applicants applying on or after January 1, 2024.
Furthermore, the number of accompanied family members with an international student raises the required living expenses.
Previously, this was set at $10,000 in the early 2000s and was never increased, leaving international students struggling to meet their basic demands.
| Number of family members (including the applicant) | Amount of funds required per year (not including tuition) |
|---|---|
| 1 | CAN$20,635 |
| 2 | CAN$25,690 |
| 3 | CAN$31,583 |
| 4 | CAN$38,346 |
| 5 | CAN$43,492 |
| 6 | CAN$49,051 |
| 7 | CAN$54,611 |
| If there are more than seven people, each additional family member | CAN$5,559 |
2. Cap on Number of International Students Coming to Canada
It is now widely known, but it is still important to reiterate that Canada has placed a cap on visas for international students, reducing the number of permits by about 35%.
Canada will not accept more than 606,250 in 2024, with the intention of granting only 360,000 new study permits this year.
So, before applying for a permit, ensure you know about the cap on the number of international students in Canada.
Exemption: This cap on the number of international students does not include:
- new study permit applications or extensions from within Canada
- study permit applications to study at the primary school or secondary school level
- study permit applications to study in a graduate degree program at the master’s or doctorate level.
3. New Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) Requirement
Most of the new study permit applications submitted after 8:30 a.m. EST (Toronto time) on January 22, 2024, need to provide a provincial attestation letter (PAL) from the province or territory where they plan to study.
The process of issuing PAL at the provincial or territorial level is yet to be developed. The federal government is expecting the PAL process to be in place by March 31, 2024.
Exemption: This PAL requirement for new study permit applications is not applicable if you are applying:
- to study in a preschool, primary school or secondary school (up to grade 12)
- to study in a master’s degree or doctoral degree program or
- for study permit extension from within Canada
4. Spousal Open Work Permit Eligibility Change
In the coming weeks, open work permits will only be offered to spouses of international students pursuing master’s and doctorate degrees.
Spouses of international students at other levels of study, such as undergraduate and college programs, will no longer be eligible.
Who can get an open work permit?
- Eligibility is limited to the spouses and common-law partners of students in graduate (master’s and doctorate) and professional degree-granting programs only.
- Once these changes are in effect, spouses and common-law partners of international students seeking to extend their existing work permits will continue to be eligible under this stream.
Who will not be eligible for an open work permit?
- The spouses and common-law partners of international students in other levels of study, including undergraduate and college programs, will no longer be eligible for an open work permit unless they already hold an open work permit under this stream.
5. Changes to Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) Eligibility
Starting February 15, 2024, those who complete a master’s degree program in fewer than two years and meet all other PGWP eligibility conditions will be eligible for a longer, three-year post-graduation work permit.
The length of PGWPs for programs other than master’s degrees will remain consistent with the length of the study program, up to a maximum of three years.
Who qualifies for a longer post-graduate work permit (PGWP)?
Graduates of at least two-year programs in PGWP-qualified, approved learning institutions, as well as graduates of master’s degree programs lasting fewer than two years, are eligible for a three-year PGWP.
Furthermore, starting September 1, 2024, international students who begin a study program as part of a curriculum licensing arrangement will no longer be eligible for a post-graduate employment permit after graduation.
Who is eligible for a PGWP after graduating from a public-private partnership college program?
- International students currently enrolled will remain eligible for a PGWP if they meet other program eligibility criteria.
Who is not eligible for a PGWP after graduating from a public-private partnership college program?
- New students enrolling in this type of program will not be eligible for a post-graduation work permit.
