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Toronto
Canada is assessing and making changes in its long-term visa program for foreign students to better align with labor market demands. This move by the Canadian government aims to ensure that study visas do not result in automatic grant of future residency or citizenship.
Recently, Canada’s Immigration Minister Marc Miller said that Federal and provincial officials have been discussing how to match labor market demand with international students. As per Miller, the Canadian government is committed to reducing the proportion of temporary residents to 5% of the population, from nearly 7%.
Canada, earlier this year imposed a temporary cap on new study permits. It is expected to receive approximately 606,000 study permit applications in 2024. However, with a nationwide approval rate of 60%, only around 364,000 of these applications will be approved. The cap for 2025 will be decided at the end of 2024.
The rules regarding the cost of living and proof of financials mandate that starting January 1, 2024, international students need to show they have at least CAD 20,635 (previously CAD 10,000) to cover living expenses, which is going to impact the Indians with lesser financial ability. This will likely slow down the growth rate of Indian students coming to Canada for study.
Only spouses of international students enrolled in master’s or doctoral programs will be eligible for open work permits. As per Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) eligibility for Spousal Open Work Permits (SOWP), the spouses of international students in undergraduate and college programs will no longer be eligible for SOWPs. Further, impacting the prospects of potential Canadian students from India.
Prime Minister Trudeau is facing challenges related to the cost of living and unemployment, prompting the Canadian government to look at immigration policies and temporary worker programs in earnest.
This change in policy direction and immigration rules for international students are going to have a serious repercussion on the Indian students aiming to study and settle down in Canada for better prospects and future.
