Big Changes!! International Student Program

Hello World! The town is colored with illuminations and a year-end wrap up season is here.

Today, we would like to provide information on four (4) major changes to the International Student Programs announced by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on December 7, 2023.

Four Major Changes

1. Raising the cost-of-living requirement for Study Permit

Starting January 1, 2024, the cost-of-living financial requirement for Study Permit applicants will be raised to $20,635 or higher in addition to their first year of tuition and travel costs.

The cost-of-living requirement for Study Permit applicants has not changed since the early 2000s, when it was set at $10,000 per applicant. As such, the financial requirement hasn’t kept up with the actual cost of living over time, resulting in international students to find that their funds aren’t enough. This new requirement is set to ensure that students are financially prepared to live in Canada.

2. Extending the waiver of off-campus work hour restriction

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 who have permission to work off-campus on their Study Permit, 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.

3. Allowing students to count online studies for their future PGWPs

International students who begin their studies before September 1, 2024, are allowed to count time spent studying online towards the length of a future Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), as long as it constitutes less than 50% of the program of study.

This measure will no longer apply to students who begin a study program on or after September 1, 2024.

4. Ending special extension of PGWPs

The temporary policy of offering an additional 18-month Work Permit to PGWP holders had been introduced 3 times in the past and will not be extended any further.。

For those with a PGWP expiring up to December 31, 2023, remain eligible to apply. Please click here for an article regarding the eligibility.

For more information on this news, please check the following link.

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/2023/12/revised-requirements-to-better-protect-international-students.html

Merry Xmas & a Happy New Year!

This year marked our third anniversary. The highlight was our business trip to Japan where we visited our clients/agents and held an immigration seminar. It was a great opportunity to see them in person. We hope to provide our services to more clients in the next year.

We would like to inform you that our service will be closed from December 23, 2023, to January 3, 2024, for the holiday season. 　Meanwhile, please feel free to contact us through this form if you have any inquiries.

Thank you for reading our blog and your business in 2023. Wishing you a wonderful holiday!

“You are one step closer to Canada!”