International Student Program (ISP) – the Canadian immigration program for International Students – has become an important component of Canadian immigration landscape, driving growth in numbers of students, temporary workers and new immigrants to Canada over the last few years.
In response to the recent housing and cost-of-living challenges in the Canadian economy, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) – the Immigration department of the Government of Canada has introduced many changes in recent times, aimed at better managing the ISP.
Some of the changes, their impact & timelines are listed below:
| Change | Effective from | Impact/Strategies: | |
| Cost of living requirements | increased to $20,635 | January 1, 2024 | Financial capability of the Student becomes more important; Strategy: Higher due diligence required |
| Cap on number of International Students | For 2024 – 360,000; For 2025 – to be decided | January 22, 2024 | Reduced Offer Letters & approvals; Students with weak English/ academics will find it challenging; Strategy: Explore other pathways of immigration |
| To be divided between provinces | January 22, 2024 | Popular provinces (Ontario/BC) could see significant reduction in numbers; Strategy: Focus on other provinces | |
| Provincial Attestation required | January 22, 2024/ March 31, 2024 | While effective immediately, there’s no mechanism to obtain such letters till March, 2024. Expect student admissions to fall drastically; Strategy: Recalibrate your timelines; Focus on September 2024 intake | |
| Post-graduation Work permit | Public-Private college programs, delivered at Private college ineligible | September 1, 2024 | No impact on current students or those who start studying before September 1, 2024. Strategy: Students opting for such programs should prepone their intake to before September 1, 2024. |
| Extended Work permit duration for graduate-level programs to 3 years | No date set | Limited details provided, but it appears that Masters, PhD & other PG-level Certificates/Diplomas would be included in this change. | |
| Spousal Work permit | Only available for Masters/PhD students | No date set | Limited details provided. Spouses of only Masters & PhD would be eligible to apply. Other students, including other PG-level Certificates/Diplomas will be excluded from eligibility. Strategy: Prepare your immigration strategy knowing that spouses will not be able to stay with you and/or support you for PR Application. |
