Moncton 
Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced pivotal changes to study permit requirements for international students.
Starting January 1, 2024, the cost-of-living financial threshold for study permit applicants will increase. This adjustment aims to ensure students are financially prepared for life in Canada. The threshold will now be linked to the low-income cut-off (LICO) set by Statistics Canada and will be updated annually.
This marks a significant shift from the outdated threshold of $10,000 set in the early 2000s. For 2024, a single applicant must demonstrate access to $20,635, along with their first year’s tuition and travel expenses.
Per the news release, this update is expected to reduce student vulnerability and exploitation. However, recognizing the varying impacts on applicants, the government plans to launch pilots in 2024 targeting underrepresented student groups to facilitate their study in Canada.
This limit is not applicable to those planning to attend Quebec institutions, as the province sets its independent cost-of-living threshold for international students, periodically adjusting this threshold. Additionally, the new financial guidelines are being incorporated into the Student Direct Stream, an expedited study permit application process available to residents of 14 countries, which necessitates more detailed initial information from applicants.
This announcement builds upon reforms made last October, focusing on a new framework for learning institutions. These reforms mandate institutions to offer quality services and support, including housing, to international students. There will be a push for institutions to admit only as many students as they can adequately support.
Minister Miller also updated three temporary policies affecting international students, set to expire at the end of 2023.
Notably, the waiver on the 20-hour work limit per week will extend to April 30, 2024. Additionally, the policy allowing online study time to count towards post-graduation work permits will continue for students starting before September 1, 2024. However, the temporary policy offering an additional 18-month work permit post-graduation will not extend beyond December 31, 2023.
These measures aim to maintain the significant social, cultural, and economic benefits international students bring to Canada while addressing challenges that have made them vulnerable and ensuring the integrity of the International Student Program.
