New Rules Alert: Canada to Increase Scrutiny on Study Permits

Canada’s immigration authorities have proposed a series of important regulatory changes to the international student program, focusing on improving oversight and compliance. The proposed changes include:

• Enhanced Compliance Reporting: Educational institutions will face new reporting requirements to ensure they adhere to regulations and maintain program integrity. This move is aimed at closing gaps in oversight and ensuring that institutions meet the necessary standards for hosting international students.

• Suspension Authority for Non-Compliance: The authorities will gain the power to suspend study permit processing for institutions that fail to comply with the new regulations. This measure is intended to hold institutions accountable and ensure that only those meeting required standards continue to operate.

  
  

• New Study Permit Requirement for Transfers: Students will be required to apply for a new study permit if they transfer to a different institution. This change aims to improve tracking and monitoring of student movements and ensure that their study permits align with their actual enrollment status.

• Increased Off-Campus Work Hours: The limit on off-campus work during studies will be raised from 20 to 24 hours per week. This adjustment is designed to provide students with greater flexibility and opportunities to gain work experience while studying.

These proposed regulations represent a significant shift towards stricter control and oversight within Canada’s international student sector. They address several key issues:

1. Reporting and Verification: Previously, the federal government lacked the authority to compel institutions to report on student attendance and compliance. The new regulations aim to improve the verification process and detect fraudulent documents more effectively.

2. Institutional Accountability: By granting the authority to suspend study permit processing, the regulations will ensure that non-compliant institutions are held accountable, which helps maintain the quality and integrity of the international student program.

3. Student Tracking: The requirement for students to notify authorities when transferring institutions will help in accurately tracking student compliance and preventing the misuse of study permits.

The proposed changes follow a period of significant policy shifts and a dramatic increase in international student numbers in Canada, which reached over one million by the end of 2023. The growth reflects a nearly two-thirds increase over the previous five years, highlighting the need for enhanced regulatory measures to manage this expanding sector effectively.