Are you worried about the news that was announced recently by the Canadian government on the 22nd of January 2024? Are you wondering if going to Canada to pursue your higher studies is still a good option? Well, this blog gives you detailed information that can give you a guided insight into Canada’s new student visa update.
On the 22nd of January 2024, the Canadian government announced that the Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) had set a two-year cap on international students. This means the number of study permits approved for international students will be limited to 360,000 in 2024 that is, 35% less compared to the 2023 study permit approvals.
Important Note- This cap does not apply to students pursuing master’s, doctoral, or K–12 degrees, holders of valid study permits, or those wishing to renew their permit.
Effective from the 22nd of January 2024, students applying for a Student Visa to Canada are required to provide a provincial attestation letter as one of the steps of their study permit application. The IRCC has decided to set caps on each province to maintain a proportion of the population in each province.
One of the reasons why this step was taken is to diversify international students across every province while maintaining fairness. As an international student, this is an advantage for you to continue your higher studies in diverse locations within Canada.
Some changes have been made to the postgraduate work permit of students who are planning to study in Canada starting from the 1st of September 2024. Students applying for a study program that is part of a curriculum licensing arrangement( Public Private Partnership- PPP) will no longer be eligible for a PGWP after graduation. This means they have to return to their respective countries after their graduation for career development.
Below are 16 colleges that do not have study programs which make international students eligible for PGWP after graduation.
1 Robertson @ACC – Winnipeg, Manitoba
2 Portage @ Campbell – Edmonton, Alberta
3 Algonquin College – CDI – North York Campus(PPP) Toronto, Mississauga Campus (PPP)
4 Cambrian at Hanson – Brampton Campus(PPP), North York Campus(PPP)Toronto
5 Canadore College – Stanford Brampton, Mississauga, Scarborough Campus(PPP)
6 Fanshawe College – Toronto Campus(PPP) @ ILAC
7 Fleming College – Toronto Campus PPP
8 Georgian College – ILAC(PPP) Toronto
9 Lambton College – Mississauga, TorontoCampus(PPP)
10 Loyalist College – Victoria Park Campus (Mississauga)(PPP)
11 Mohawk College – Mississauga Campus(PPP) Mississauga,
12 Niagara College – Toronto TSoM Campus(PPP)
13 Northern College at Pures Toronto(PPP)
14 Sault College – Brampton Campus(PPP) , Toronto campus (PPP)@TriOS College
15 Alpha College of Business & Technology
16 Sheridan College at Canadian College of Technology and Trades (CCTT)
While Canada has been providing PGWPs based on the length of the program for Masters and PhD students/ Short graduate-level programs until 2023, IRCC has decided to increase it to a three-year PGWP very soon.
Due to this update, master’s and short graduate-level program students can explore more about the Canadian job market and become experts in their fields. This will also improve their opportunities to secure permanent residency. The IRCC will be revealing more details on the 3-year PGWP very soon.
Only students who follow Master’s and Doctoral programs as well as professional programs related to law and medicine will be eligible to apply for an open work permit for their spouse. This regulation will be in effect from the 1st of September 2024.
Similar to other countries like the UK, USA, and Australia, Canada is one of the most preferred higher studies destinations for students from all over the world. The new update introduced on the 22nd of January 2024 is like an unseen shield trying to create a better education system for students.
If you are looking to pursue your higher education in Canada in 2024, get in touch with one of our student consultants now.
