2024 is anticipated to bring further changes to Canada’s international student programme, with the IRCC planning to increase the cost-of-living requirement, reconsider the 20-hour work cap for international students
Canada reportedly announced new rules for international students looking to study in the country, a move seen in line with the country’s recent moves to tighten admission and study visa norms.
According to the new changes, an online portal has been launched for Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) to verify letters of acceptance (LOAs) submitted by international students in support of their student visa applications.
DLIs will need to validate LOAs through the online portal within 10 calendar days under the new framework. Failure to verify the letter within the specified timeframe or confirming it as fake will lead to the cancellation of the student visa application, with fees being refunded to the applicant, CIC News reported.
This initiative addresses previous instances of abuse in Canada’s international student systems, including a case involving the near deportation of 700 Indian students who were deceived with false acceptance letters created by a fraudulent immigration consultant.
Starting December 1, 2023, Canada also launched a new version of the study permit application form (IMM1294).
In addition to these changes, IRCC has proposed the “Trusted Institutions Framework”, introducing a two-tiered system for study permits and offering benefits to trusted institutions, such as faster processing, the Economic Times reported.
While details about the framework are still limited, it is expected to be implemented in the fall of 2024.
2024 is anticipated to bring further changes to Canada’s international student programme, with the IRCC planning to increase the cost-of-living requirement, reconsider the 20-hour work cap for international students, end the facilitative measure allowing students to count time spent abroad towards their Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), and introduce new changes to the PGWP programme.
