Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) began implementing steps to improve the credibility of Canada’s international student program. The government verifies international students’ acceptance letters through an online portal for Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs). Institutions have ten days for verification, the failure of which will cause the student visa application to be canceled. This change was prompted by past abuses of Canada’s international student systems.
A proposed “Trusted Institutions Framework” will introduce a two-tiered system for issuing study permits and may limit the number of student visas for better academic support. Other 2024 changes include:
- increasing the cost-of-living requirement,
- reconsidering the work cap, ending the measure allowing time spent abroad towards the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), and
- aligning international student enrolment and PGWP issuance with labor market and demographic needs.
We encourage potential international students to check their eligibility to ensure they meet all stream requirements and apply for the updated requirements and scoring.
Canada acknowledges the significant social, cultural, and economic benefits that international students bring to the country, and for those benefits to continue, IRCC must address challenges to the program’s integrity. Taking action against nefarious actors who have preyed on genuine students for financial gain through these measures, identifying every fraudulent letter of acceptance soon after it is submitted.
Institutions that show strong support for international students will be recognized, and their applicants will be moved to the front of the processing line, allowing IRCC to better select and retain students who are best suited to meet the needs of Canada’s economy and immigration goals.
What are the new changes to the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) and what is it?
If you recently graduated from a designated learning institution (DLI) and would like to work temporarily in Canada, you may be eligible for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP). PGWPs are a great way to gain valuable work experience in Canada and are valid for eight months to three years. Having work experience in Canada opens up a lot of possibilities for an applicant looking for permanent residence in Canada.
The International Student Program has improved its Letter of Acceptance verification system and reviewed the Post-Graduation Work Permit program. International students in Canada hope for a PGWP extension in 2024, given the limited options for permanent residency. By mid-2023, Canada had approximately 2.2 million temporary residents, with over 1 million holding work permits – which has almost doubled in a year.
If you want to know more details about the “IRCC had started to enhance the integrity of Canada’s international student program” you can contact one of our immigration specialists at Gunness & Associates.
Tel: (416) 604-2669
Email: info@immigrationmatters.info
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