Impact on Aspirants Planning for Canada (post 22.01.24)
Studying in Canada, for decades has always been a long-cherished dream for most aspiring students in order to uplift their career to unexpected levels. This has not only been a trend in India, but across continents. However, apart from doubling the GIC amount (effective Jan 01, 2024), there have been a few other roadblocks & hurdles that are obstructing their path, in order to pursue their programs of choice & interest. With respect to the new policy guidelines as proposed by IRCC, most students have been finding it difficult to come to terms with the impact. Having said that, the Canadian Universities, along with the Govt officials are drafting out the guidelines to get this process streamlined as much as possible in the quickest manner.
In order to address the concerns, we would like to apprise such future flyers about what this means & the level of impact these policies are likely to create on the students planning to study in Canada in Summer and Fall intakes. Broadly, few categories of students have been identified according to the impact it is likely to cause the following:
Current – To begin with, the current set of students in Canada (including those needing renewals) or even those who have applied prior to Jan 22, 2024 (which is before the announcement of the revised policy) are safe and will not be affected in any way by the recent changes, as of now.
Undergraduate – This category of students is the one who have been put under the direct scanner esp. because of those few, who have diverged from the set rules laid down earlier, by filling up the gaps & ambiguities. This has caused undue stress by overburdening the infrastructure. To be able to bring back the normalcy and equilibrium, the Govt has decided to curb the number of student intake for the upcoming 2 years and accordingly decide, depending on the situation and desired results that they are being able to achieve with the implementation of the new policies. Once the provinces are able to issue an attestation letter, candidates can apply for their student visa and find a seat in an institute located in Canada. Moreover, from September 01, 2024, PGWP (Post Graduate Work Permit) will not be applicable as per the new rules.
Graduate – For those who plan to enrol for a Masters (or Doctor degree) can be rest assured that there will be little or no impact on their prospects of going to study in Canada, as this category has not been included under the current revision in study permit rules, including the attestation letters to be issued by the provinces. Students under master’s programs or other short graduate level programs will be able to apply for a 3-year work permit.
Private / Public – Effective September 1, 2024, international students attending private institutions that partner with public colleges with curriculum licensing arrangements will no longer be eligible for PGWPs. Thus, those students enrolling with public institutions will be eligible for PGWPs at the moment, however still further developments are likely to take place with the passage of time. IRCC has emphasized that under curriculum licensing agreements, students physically attend a private college that has been licensed to teach the curriculum of an associated public college. Although these programs have attracted international students in recent years, they have less oversight than public colleges and therefore are a loophole to eligibility for the PGWP.
Further, IRCC is expected to implement a Trusted Framework Agreement with DLIs in time for the 2024 academic season. Eligible DLIs will benefit from expedited processing for study permits.
