Canada Makes it Harder for International Students, Disproportionately Affects Panjabis

Canada has announced significant changes in its immigration regulations, affecting those aspiring to study in the country. In a statement on 7 Nov, Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, said beginning 1 Jan 2024, the minimum cost of living financial requirement for students will be raised from the current CAD 10,000 to CAD 20,635. Now, Canada has announced updates on three temporary policies that were set to expire at the end of 2023: work permit, work hour limit, online-offline classes. The Canadian government has decided not to extend a temporary policy providing an additional 18-month work permit to post-graduation work permit holders whose permits had expired or were set to end. This will impact international students whose post-graduate work permits will expire after 31 Dec 2023. The waiver on the 20-hour-per-week limit for international students allowed to work off campus while class is in session is extended to 30 Apr 2024. This condition only applies to international students already in Canada as well as those who have applied for a study permit as of 7 Dec 2023. Currently, international students in Canada can study online and offline on a 50:50 basis. This policy will continue but only for students who began a study programme before 1 Sep 2024. Instead of addressing crucial issues – college fee, rent control and affordable accommodation – the Canadian government has increased challenges for students. About 70% of 300,000 foreign students who study in Canada are from Panjab. Their discontent is growing (SDW Vol. 1 Issue 4, Story 2).