Canada has introduced new regulations for international students intending to study in the country. Among these changes is the launch of an online portal for Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs). This portal aims to streamline the verification process for letters of acceptance (LOAs) submitted by international students for their visa applications.
Under this new framework, DLIs are required to authenticate LOAs within 10 calendar days. Failure to verify or identify fake documentation will result in the cancellation of the student’s application, with a refund of fees to the applicant. These measures are a response to past instances of exploitation within Canada’s international student systems, such as the situation where 700 Indian students faced potential deportation due to falsified acceptance letters created by deceitful immigration consultants.
Effective from December 1, 2023, Canada has also introduced a revised version of the study permit application form (IMM1294). The Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced that applicants must use the new form for applications made through secure accounts after December 1, 2023, and the old version will not be accepted for applications submitted on or after this date.
Furthermore, IRCC has proposed the ‘Trusted Institutions Framework,’ a two-tier system for study permits that offers benefits to recognised institutions. Anticipated changes in 2024 to Canada’s international student programme include a potential increase in the cost-of-living requirements and a reconsideration of the 20-hour work limit for international students.
These alterations align with the department’s goal to synchronise international student enrollment and Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) issuance with labour market demands and demographic needs. This marks a significant phase in Canada’s approach to hosting international students.
