CANADA CALLING
EVER-TIGHTENING RULES KEEP INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ON A SHORT LEASH
International students have experienced some serious challenges, such as finding adequate housing, as they pursue their studies in Canada. Image credit: KETUT SUBIYANTO on Pexels.
Canada is a top destination for international students, thanks to its high-quality educational institutions, welcoming, diverse society, and the opportunities for some to work or immigrate permanently after graduation.
International education accounts for more than $22 billion in economic activity annually, greater than Canada’s exports of auto parts, lumber or aircraft, and supports more than 200,000 jobs in Canada.
While international students have contributed to life on campuses and innovation across the country, they have also experienced some serious challenges, such as finding adequate housing, as they pursue their studies in Canada.
Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (IRCC), announced that starting January 1, 2024, the cost-of-living financial requirement for study permit applicants will be raised so that international students are financially prepared for life in Canada. Moving forward, this threshold will be adjusted each year when Statistics Canada updates the low-income cut-off (LICO). LICO represents the minimum income necessary to ensure that an individual does not have to spend a greater than average portion of income on necessities.
The cost-of-living requirement for study permit applicants has not changed since the early 2000s, when it was set at $10,000 for a single applicant. As such, the financial requirement hasn’t kept up with the cost of living over time, resulting in students arriving in Canada only to learn that their funds aren’t adequate.
For 2024, a single applicant will need to show they have $20,635, representing 75 per cent of LICO, in addition to their first year of tuition and travel costs. This change will apply to new study permit applications received on or after January 1, 2024.
The waiver on the 20-hour-per-week limit on the number of hours international students are allowed to work off campus while class is in session will be extended to April 30, 2024. International students already in Canada, as well as applicants who have already submitted an application for a study permit as of December 7, 2023, will be able to work off campus more than 20 hours per week until that time. IRCC continues to examine options for this policy in the future, such as expanding off-campus work hours for international students to 30 hours per week while class is in session.