Significant changes to Canada’s student visa policy, including an increase in the amount disclosed in addition to educational expenses.
Canada has announced new rules in its immigration policy for students coming to study abroad that will come into effect on January 1, 2024.
Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Mark Miller, has said that he is committed to providing a suitable environment for people coming to Canada to study.
Millions of people from around the world, including Pakistan and India, travel to Canada every year to work and study, but experts say the new rules will make it more difficult and expensive to travel to Canada.
What are the new rules?
Canada has increased the deposit amount under GIC (Guaranteed Investment Certificate).
According to the new rules, this amount has been increased to 20 thousand 635 dollars. Remember that earlier this amount was 10 thousand dollars and it was increased in the year 2000.
GIC refers to the amount that international students submit to prove their eligibility for residency in Canada.
In their press release, Canadian officials said that daily expenses have increased over time, but the fee has not been increased, due to which students find upon arrival in Canada that they do not have enough funds to continue their education. . From 2024, every candidate will have to declare at least 20 thousand 635 dollars. This amount is in addition to the first year’s tuition fees and travel expenses.
In addition, students who came to Canada on a student visa were only allowed to work twenty hours a week, but then the Canadian government allowed students to work full-time along with their studies.
However, this law was valid till December 31, 2023, but now the Canadian government has extended its term till April 30, 2024.
The third law is regarding work permits. To meet the needs of the labor market during the Corona epidemic, Canada extended the work permit period to 18 months on a temporary basis.
A person studying in Canada for two years could get a three-year work permit (three 18-month visas) after completing their studies.
But now the rule of obtaining an additional 18-month work permit has been abolished from January.
However, the Canadian government has clarified that only those whose work permit visas expire on December 31, 2023, will be eligible to apply for an 18-month work permit visa.
Canadian authorities have made it clear that they will make it mandatory for educational institutions to admit only the number of students for whom they have the necessary facilities such as accommodation available.
Some students are forced to live in tents.
Canada-based immigration expert Ratandeep Singh says that the increase in GIC fees is disappointing for students.
Speaking to English Publisher, he said that housing in Canada has become very expensive compared to the past and that is why a large number of students are forced to live in basements.
He said that apart from this, some students are also forced to live in tents while they go to Gurdwaras for food and drink.
According to Ratandeep Singh, Canada definitely wants to attract economically strong students by increasing the GIC, but it would be better if this increase is done gradually.
According to Ratandeep Singh, the closure of the 18-month work permit scheme from January will also affect many students.