Canada doubles financial requirements, provides update on 20-hour workweek cap for international students

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The federal government provided several updates for international students in Canada on Thursday, including an update on work hours, financial requirements for applicants, and potentially limiting visas.

Marc Miller, minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, announced that starting January 1, 2024, the cost-of-living financial requirement for students will increase so “international students are financially prepared for life in Canada.”

Starting in the new year, an applicant will need to show they have $20,645 which represents 75% of the low-income cut-off (LICO), noted the federal government.

The LICO represents the minimum income necessary to ensure an individual can survive without spending a greater portion of their income on necessities.

The feds say the cost of living requirement hasn’t changed since the early 2000s when it was set at $10,000 for a single applicant.

However, the threshold will be adjusted annually to reflect when Statistics Canada updates the LICO.

During Thursday’s press conference, Miller said it would “be a mistake” to invite international students to come to Canada “with no support, including [no way] to put a roof over their heads.”

He added that ahead of September 2024, the federal government is prepared to take further measures, including “significantly limiting visas” to ensure that designated learning institutions are providing the necessary support needed for students’ academic experience.

Miller added a stern warning to provinces and territories if they are not willing to comply with the federal government’s requests.

“Enough is enough. If provinces and territories cannot do this, we will do it for them and they will not like the bluntness of the instruments we use,” he said.

20-hour work week cap update

There was also an update on the proposed return of the 20-hour workweek cap for international students in the country, which could be implemented once again in the spring of next year unless further changes are made before that time.

Fraser said that international students who already have a study permit or have applied for it as of December 7, 2023, will have the 20-hour workweek cap waived until April 30, 2024.

Fraser noted that the government will continue to examine the options for the policy in the future to possibly expand off-campus work hours to 30 hours per week while class is in session.

“The main purpose for an international student to be in Canada is to study. However, since most students are currently halfway through the school year and some are working full-time to meet their needs, we will extend the temporary policy that has allowed eligible international students to work more than 20 hours per week until April 30, 2024, the end of the academic year,” said Miller.

He noted that a 40-hour workweek for students is “untenable” and is not “reflective of a student experience.”

The announcement comes after many international students have been concerned about the future of work for them in Canada.

Last fall, Fraser introduced a pilot program which temporarily lifted the 20-hour-per-week cap on the number of hours eligible post-secondary students can work off-campus while class is in session. This change started last November and is ending December 31, 2023.

The feds also noted that foreign nationals with post-grad work permits expiring up to December 31, 2023, will be eligible to apply for an additional 18-month work permit available under a temporary policy. However, the policy will not see any further extensions.

International students speak out

Following the announcement, the Migrant Workers Alliance for Change released a statement expressing their disappointment with the federal government’s announcement.

“Federal immigration policy is a roller coaster, the 20 hour work permit rule was removed after migrant student workers spoke up but just for 4 months. We don’t need monthly improvisations and chaotic twists that let exploitation and abuse continue; we will continue to speak up for stable, fair rules and permanent residency for all,” wrote Sarom Rho, national organizer of Migrant Students United, a section of Migrant Workers Alliance for Change in a statement.

Dev Kamboj, a former international student from India, stated that doubling the proof of funds for prospective students was a “cruel” decision.

“When I came to study in 2019, my family had to take out loans, which we still have to pay back with interest, for the $10,000 minimum,” he wrote.

“Doubling that to over $20,000 is cruel, it will shatter the dreams of so many students and families around the world.”

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