How Canadian immigration policies and regulations is affecting international students, especially those pursuing college or undergraduate studies.
Here’s a breakdown of the key changes:Â
•  Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL): Most new international students at the college or undergraduate level must submit a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) along with their study permit applications.
•  Increased Cost of Living Requirement: The cost of living requirement has risen significantly, from CAD 10,000 to CAD 20,635. This could present financial challenges for international students, particularly those from countries like India where currency conversion rates may amplify the impact.
•  Limits on Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Institutions: Restrictions have been placed on students studying at public-private partnership institutions, affecting their eligibility for post-graduate work permits.
•  Temporary Intake Cap: A temporary cap has been implemented, restricting the number of approved study permits for undergraduate students to approximately 360,000 per year. This measure aims to alleviate pressures on housing, healthcare, and other services across Canada.
•  Impact on Indian Students: These changes may disproportionately affect undergraduate students from India, who may struggle to meet the new requirements and face limited options for post-graduate work permits.
•  Preference for Certain Provinces: The introduction of the cap and regulatory changes may prompt international students to show increased interest in provinces with more cap allocation room, such as Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and New Brunswick.
In conclusion, these recent revisions to Canadian immigration policies and regulations will likely have significant implications for international students, particularly those at the college or undergraduate level. These changes may influence their decisions regarding pursuing education in Canada.