On December 7, 2023, Canada’s immigration minister Marc Miller, unveiled new restrictions for international students wishing to study in Canada.
Starting next year, prospective overseas students will be required to show they have access to $20,635 instead of the $10,000 minimum that has been in place for two decades, in addition to paying for travel and tuition, according to Marc Miller.
The amount will be modified annually depending on the benchmark for living costs established by Statistics Canada.
Miller also revealed that the federal Liberals will prolong an exemption that allows current international students who do not have a work visa to work more than 20 hours per week off campus.
Will This Affect Current International Students in Canada?
The new minimum financial requirements only apply to new study permit applications received on or after Jan. 1, 2024.
What Do the Extra Hours Mean for Eligible International Students In Canada?
While IRCC’s decision does not make the policy permanent, as many international students had hoped, it will still be beneficial to many international students across Canada. This is because being able to work more hours permits overseas students to be less burdened by financial concerns.
Eligibility for IRCC’s New Work Hours Policy
Only select overseas students are eligible to work above the regular off-campus job restriction. To be specific, a foreign student who works more than 20 hours a week must:
- Take in-person classes at a Canadian post-secondary institution (rather than online from abroad)*
- Off-campus work authorization must be included on their study permit.
*Students who applied for a study visa on October 7, 2018, the day IRCC first announced this temporary policy in 2022, have also benefited from the elimination of the ban on off-campus job hours.
Are You Interested in Becoming an International Student in Canada?
If so, Contact VisaPlace today. All our cases are handled by competent and experienced immigration professionals who are affiliated with VisaPlace. These professionals consist of lawyers, licensed paralegals, and consultants who work for VisaPlace, an award-winning immigration firm that adheres to the highest standards of client service.
Ready for the next step? Book your 1 on 1 consultation now or call us at 1-877-296-0874.
Have a Question related to your Immigration Needs?
Click here to fill out the FREE Immigration Assessment form below and get a response within 24 hours to see if you’re eligible.
The assessment form should take approximately 5-7 minutes to complete. We will get back to you within one business day to let you know if we are able to help.
VisaPlace Immigration News Contributor
Ella Bergquist
Hello! I am one of VisaPlace's many immigration news contributors. Comment below if you have any questions or comments about this article.
