From: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Canada remains a popular choice for international students due to its esteemed educational institutions, welcoming community, and post-graduation opportunities. Despite their contributions, international students often face significant issues, such as securing appropriate housing during their studies.<\/p>\n On December 7, 2023, the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced that starting January 1, 2024, the financial requirements for study permit applicants will be increased. This will ensure that students are financially prepared for their stay in Canada. The cost-of-living threshold will now be updated annually in accordance with Statistics Canada’s low-income cut-off (LICO), which reflects the minimal income needed to avoid spending excessively on life’s essentials.<\/p>\n Since the early 2000s, the cost-of-living requirement for a single applicant was set at $10,000, which no longer aligns with current living expenses. By 2024, applicants must demonstrate $20,635, accounting for 75% of LICO, plus first-year tuition and travel costs. This adjustment applies to applications submitted from January 1, 2024, onward.<\/p>\n This change aims to reduce student vulnerability, though its effects may differ among applicants. In the coming year, partnerships with various organizations will explore pilot programs to support underrepresented international student groups.<\/p>\n The announcement aligns with recent reforms to the International Student Program, which includes a new framework for recognizing institutions offering comprehensive student support, including housing. Institutions are expected to admit only as many students as they can adequately support.<\/p>\n Prior to the September 2024 semester, measures, such as potential visa limitations, will be considered to ensure that institutions provide sufficient support for students. Collaboration with provincial and territorial governments, educational institutions, and other stakeholders is crucial to setting international students up for success in Canada.<\/p>\n Minister Miller updated three temporary policies that were due to end in 2023:<\/p>\n International students enrich Canada socially, culturally, and economically. To preserve these benefits, addressing issues that compromise student well-being and program integrity is essential. By increasing the cost-of-living threshold, students will be financially better prepared to start their studies in Canada.<\/p>\n \u201cInternational students provide significant cultural, social, and economic benefits to their communities, but they have also faced challenges navigating life in Canada. We are revising the cost-of-living threshold so that international students understand the true cost of living here. This measure is key to their success in Canada. We are also exploring options to ensure that students find adequate housing. These long-overdue changes will protect international students from financially vulnerable situations and exploitation.\u201d<\/p>\n \u2013 The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n For media inquiries only:<\/strong><\/p>\n Bahoz Dara Aziz<\/strong> Media Relations<\/strong> Starting January 1, 2024, international students must show $20,635, representing 75% of the LICO, along with their first year of tuition and travel costs.<\/p>\n The waiver allowing more than 20 hours of off-campus work per week is extended until April 30, 2024.<\/p>\n No, the facilitative measure for online study applies only to programs starting before September 1, 2024.<\/p>\n Quebec maintains its own cost-of-living standards, which are periodically updated independently of federal regulations.<\/p>\n It is a streamlined study permit process for residents of 14 countries that provides priority processing with additional upfront requirements.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Canada is a top destination for international students, thanks to our high-quality educational institutions; our welcoming, diverse society; and the opportunities for some to work or immigrate permanently after graduation. While international students have contributed to life on campuses and innovation across the country, they have also experienced some serious challenges, such as finding adequate housing, as they pursue their studies in Canada. … <\/i>Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[89],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4547","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-immigration"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/applytocanada.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4547","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/applytocanada.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/applytocanada.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/applytocanada.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/applytocanada.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4547"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/applytocanada.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4547\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/applytocanada.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4547"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/applytocanada.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4547"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/applytocanada.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4547"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Recent Updates on International Student Policies<\/h2>\n
Implications of the New Financial Requirements<\/h2>\n
Additional Policy Adjustments<\/h3>\n
Temporary Policies and Future Considerations<\/h3>\n
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Notable Statements<\/h2>\n
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Key Information<\/h2>\n
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Useful Links<\/h2>\n
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Media Contacts<\/h2>\n
Press Secretary
Minister\u2019s Office
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
Bahoz.DaraAziz@cic.gc.ca<\/a><\/p>\n
Public Affairs and Strategic Communications Branch
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
613-952-1650
media@cic.gc.ca<\/a><\/p>\nFrequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n
What is the new cost-of-living requirement for international students?<\/h3>\n
When will the extended work hour policy for students end?<\/h3>\n
Will online studies count towards post-graduation work permits after September 2024?<\/h3>\n
How does this policy impact students applying to Quebec institutions?<\/h3>\n
What is the Student Direct Stream?<\/h3>\n