If you’re planning to study in Canada as an international student, there are some important rules and laws you should be aware of.
These rules are not meant to limit your experience but are designed to ensure that you have a positive and successful study and cultural experience in Canada.
Curious about the changes the Canadian government has made or will make for international students in 2024? Let’s find out!
New Rules For International Students in Canada 2024
1. Increase in Cost of Living Requirement
Starting from January 1, 2024, all new applicants for Canada study permits must meet the new cost of living requirement of $20,635. This amount is in addition to the first year’s tuition and travel expenses.
If an international student is bringing family members, the cost of living requirement will be higher.
Before 2024, the living expenses requirement was only $10,000, and it hadn’t been increased since the early 2000s. This made it difficult for international students to cover their basic needs.
| Number of family members (including the applicant) | Amount of funds required per year (not including tuition) |
| 1 | CAN$20,635 |
| 2 | CAN$25,690 |
| 3 | CAN$31,583 |
| 4 | CAN$38,346 |
| 5 | CAN$43,492 |
| 6 | CAN$49,051 |
| 7 | CAN$54,611 |
| If more than 7 people, each additional family member | CAN$5,559 |
Click here to know more about new cost of living requirement 2024
2. Cap on Number of International Students
Canada has set a cap on the number of visas it will give to international students. They’ve reduced the number of study permits by about 35%.
In 2024, they won’t accept more than 606,250 students, and they plan to grant only 360,000 new study permits this year.
So, before you apply for a permit, make sure you know about this cap on the number of international students allowed in Canada.
Exemption: This cap on the number of international students does not apply to:
- New study permit applications or extensions from within Canada.
- Study permit applications for primary or secondary school levels.
- Study permit applications for graduate degree programs at the master’s or doctorate level.
Click here to know more about new cap on international students
3. New Requirement Of Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL)
If you applied for a study permit after 8:30 a.m. EST on January 22, 2024, you might need to give a letter from the province or territory where you plan to study. This letter is called a provincial attestation letter (PAL).
Right now, the process of getting a PAL at the provincial or territorial level is not ready. The federal government expects this process to be ready by March 31, 2024.
This attestation proves that the student is included in the national cap through a provincial or territorial allocation. Provinces and territories must have a plan for issuing PALs by March 31, 2024.
The Government of Canada is collaborating with the Government of Quebec to explore how the certificat d’acceptation du Québec pour études can be used as a PAL.
Exemption: You don’t need a Provincial Attestation Letter (PLA) if you are:
- A primary or secondary school student
- Pursuing a master’s or doctoral degree
- A visiting or exchange student
- A holder of an in-Canada study permit or work permit, which also includes those applying for an extension
- A family member of in-Canada study permit or work permit holders
- Someone whose application was submitted before 8:30 a.m. ET on January 22, 2024.
4. Changes In Spousal Open Work Permit Eligibility
Starting soon, only spouses of international students who are doing master’s or doctorate degrees will get open work permits.
Spouses of international students in other programs, like undergraduates and college students, won’t be eligible anymore.
Eligibility For An Open Work Permit
Only the spouses and common-law partners of students in graduate (master’s and doctorate) and professional degree programs are eligible.
If you’re already on a work permit and looking to extend it, these rules will still apply to you.
If you are the spouse or common-law partner of an international student in programs like college or undergraduate studies, you won’t eligible for an open work permit unless you already have one through this specific program.
5. Changes to Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)
Starting February 15, 2024, if you finish a master’s degree in less than two years and meet all other conditions for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP), you can get a three-year permit.
For programs other than master’s degrees, the length of PGWP will be the same as the program’s duration, up to a maximum of three years.
Eligibility For Longer Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP)
If you graduate from a program that’s at least two years long at an approved learning institution for PGWP, or if you complete a master’s program that’s less than two years long, you can get a three-year PGWP.
Starting from September 1, 2024, international students who start a study program through a curriculum licensing arrangement won’t be eligible for a post-graduate employment permit after they finish their studies.
PGWP eligibility for public-private partnership college programs
If you graduate from a public-private partnership college program, your eligibility for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) depends on whether you’re already enrolled or a new student.
Who can still get a work permit after graduating from one of these programs?
If you’re already enrolled, you can still apply for a work permit as long as you meet the other requirements.
Who can’t get a work permit after graduating from one of these programs?
New students starting in these programs won’t be eligible for a work permit after they graduate.
This is because of concerns about the quality of education and lack of student support in these programs. The government expects that restricting PGWPs will lead to fewer international students enrolling in these institutions.
These are the new rules for international students in Canada for 2024. Make sure you understand them before planning your studies.
