Recently, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has released a series of new policies, which have attracted widespread attention. These new policies are designed to address the problems that Canada has faced in recent years, such as population influx, resource constraints, and the quality of education for international students.
The New Deal is multifaceted, including:Adjustments to the visa application process, recognition of online learning, limits on the working hours of study permit holders, and extension of post-graduation work visasWait. These changes will have a direct impact on the study and life of international students, as well as the adaptation and development of new immigrants in Canada. Therefore, we have compiled the details of these new policies so that you can understand and plan accordingly.
Whether you're a student on your journey to study in Canada, or an international student or immigrant already living in Canada, it's important to keep an eye on these policy changes to ensure your rights and interests are not affected. Next, we will explain the specific content of each of these new policies.
The main reforms of the new IRCC policy are as follows.
Three policy tightenings
1.New visa cap control
In 2024, the number of student visas issued will not exceed 360,000, and each province will set corresponding upper limits according to the proportion. (The domestic transfer record may be affected, and the institution needs to determine the province in advance).
2.Thirteen provinces and special administrative regions will successively announce the upper limit of the number of student visas that can be issued by DLI institutions
From January 22, 2024, new application for study permit must include a provincial attestation letter (required). Each province must issue the relevant rules for obtaining the certification letter before March 31, 2024 (the application for a study permit that has not been submitted after January 22 should be temporarily stopped and wait for the implementation of the rules, otherwise the application will be returned).
3.Work Permit
Beginning September 1, 2024, international students in the Program License Agreement program will no longer be eligible for a post-graduation work permit upon graduation.
Interpretation:New to public-private partnership business programs (Public colleges, in cooperation with private institutions, offer specialist or research courses to lead to diplomas from public colleges.
For example, a public college in a remote location has a branch campus with a private institution in a popular area. ) students will not be eligible for a post-graduation work permit, and current students will not be affected. Relevant data shows that the program has attracted much attention among Indian students, so the implementation of the policy will directly affect their further education and employment.
Graduates of master's and other short-term postgraduate programs will soon be eligible to apply for a 3-year work permit.
Interpretation:Regardless of the length of the actual program (whether it is one year or 16 months), the master's program will be granted a three-year post-graduation work permit. Compared to the current standard based on the length of the program, it provides graduates with a longer work permit period, which is more conducive to accumulating work experience in Canada and eventually achieving permanent residence. After the implementation of the new policy, short-term master's degree will become a popular program.
Spouse work permit
Interpretation:After a few weeks, only the spouses of international students in the master's and doctoral programs can apply for a spouse work permit, and the spouses of international students in other programs will not be able to obtain a spouse open work permit.
A relaxation policy
Student visa renewals, master's and doctoral programs, and primary and secondary school student visa applications will not be affected
Applicants for master's and doctoral degrees, primary and secondary education are not included in the upper limit (whether other post-graduate programs include graduate diplomas still needs to be further officially interpreted).
Note: From January 30, 2024, the new version of the application form for student visa renewal (IMM5709) will be used, and the old version of the application form will no longer be accepted.
Hot issues of new policies are shared
1. What kind of document does the visa need to go out of the province? Is it similar to CAQ or what?
According to the current feedback, each province will have its own rules, and the rules will be published by March 31, and there are already several provinces where schools will report a document similar to the Quebec CAQ.
2. Can the college still get a 3-year work permit for a 2-year junior college?
Some institutions have reported that the length of the work permit after graduation of the two-year associate degree program of private institutions that can obtain a work permit before the introduction of the new policy may be shortened to the same as the length of study, that is, from a three-year work permit to a two-year work permit. There is no clear feedback on the diploma courses in public colleges and universities for the time being, and there will be changes, and it is necessary to wait for the details of the policy to be clarified.
3. Are all graduates of private colleges?
Can you no longer get a post-graduation PGWP (post-graduation work permit)?
No, DLI-recognized private universities such as Trinity Western University, Navi Bridge Program including Fraser International College (FIC), Toronto Metropolitan University International College (TMUIC), Manitoba International College (ICM), Laurier International College (WLIC) and University of Lethbridge International College (UICC), Western Canada University, LaSalle College and other regular courses are not affected by this policy, and can apply for post-graduation work permits normally.
4. In addition to master's degree, is it not possible to submit application for undergraduate and college study permits?
Applications for undergraduate and college programs that have not been submitted before 8:30 a.m. on January 22 should be temporarily suspended and submitted after the details of the attestation letter from each province are published and implemented, otherwise the application will be returned.
Canada has limited the number of study visas and raised the threshold for work permits, which has undoubtedly had a huge impact on foreigners who want to work in Canada. This year is going to be a tough year for Canadian study and work permit applicants, so if you plan to apply, it's best to hurry. At the same time, it is also necessary to pay close attention to policy changes and adjust the application plan in a timely manner.
Canada**, on the other hand, did not mention a reduction in immigration quotas148 will still be received in the next three years50,000 new immigrants, and the proportion of economic immigrants has reached more than 6%.。If the strict measures for study and work visas are really implemented, the transfer of accompanying parents and the transfer of international students after graduation will definitely be affected, and these people should plan their permanent residence status in advance.
Introduction to Federal Entrepreneurship Immigration
The full name of the Canadian Federal Start-up Visa Program is the Start-up Visa Program, abbreviation: SUV. is a five-year pilot project launched in Canada** on April 1, 2013, with the aim of:Attract international talents and entrepreneurs with technical expertise and entrepreneurial potentialto establish innovative businesses and settle in Canada, help Canada introduce new technological knowledge, create more jobs for local residents, and contribute to economic growth and global competitiveness.
On March 31, 2018, the 5-year SUV pilot program came to an end, and Immigration Canada considered the project a success and plans to make it permanent. It is also determined that the permanent federal entrepreneurship immigration program will be launched from April 1, 2018.
Innovation Definition:
What are the innovative programs that meet the Canadian SUV immigration program:
Concept innovation, technological innovation, service innovation, product innovation, etc.;
In addition to the high-tech industries that we are familiar with, there are actually many traditional industries that incorporate innovative elements and projects that can contribute to the Canadian economy;
SUV Innovation Projects Approved, Applying and To Be Requested:
Artificial intelligence: AI customer service, AI travel, AI business consultant, AI catering consultant, AI procurement;
Mobile APP: Youth Sports APP, online learning and intelligent learning platform for musical instruments;
Games: AI script killing, mini game dating platform;
Others: R&D of new materials, R&D of food and agricultural products, R&D of automotive technology, application of Internet of Things;
Favorable new policy:
1.SUV applicants will be granted a work permit for up to three years (previously only one year);
2.The work permit becomes an open work permit, which is not restricted from working in the entrepreneurial project, and is allowed to have other work income (originally a closed work permit, no other work and income are allowed);
3.Each applicant in the SUV team can apply for a three-year open work permit (originally only essential persons can apply);
The global quota for SUVs will increase: 3,500 in 2023, 5,000 in 2024, and 6,000 in 2025.
Suitable for:
Entrepreneurs who want to expand their business in Canada;
Scientific and technological talents with technical background, and those with experience in investment, management, sales or marketing of scientific and technological enterprises;
Applicants who want their children to enjoy Canada's high-quality educational resources;
Applicants who want to land in Canada quickly;
Those who are studying at home and abroad or have a college degree or above, graduates.
Application Requirements:
1.High school degree or above, under the age of 55;
2.Sufficient start-up capital;
3.CLB5 or above;
4.Others: The main applicant and accompanying family members have passed the medical examination and have no criminal record.
The SUV program is one of the few ways to directly obtain a Canadian PR card through venture capital at this stage, and it can also be applied for in the form of a "group". With the advantages of relatively relaxed application requirements, relatively sufficient quotas, and the results of entrepreneurship will not affect immigration status, it has become the preferred choice of many people in China.