‘Enough is enough’: Ottawa hikes student visa financial onus, threatens limits
The federal government is roughly doubling the amount of money international students need to prove they have in order to get a study permit, says Immigration Minister Marc Miller.
He is also threatening that if provinces and post-secondary institutions fail to act, he will look at “significantly limiting visas” before next fall.
He also said that the 20-hours a week work limit on international students, which was temporarily lifted last year will be extended until April 30, 2024.
“Ahead of September 2024, we are prepared to take necessary measures, including significantly limiting visas, to ensure that designated learning institutions provide adequate and sufficient student supports,” he said on Thursday.
“It is imperative that we work together with provincial and territorial governments, learning institutions and other education stakeholders so we can ensure international students are set up for success in Canada,” Miller told reporters in Ottawa.
He added, “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 that we use.”
Miller’s comments show a marked shift in tone on the matter, even as he noted, “It would be a mistake to blame international students for the housing crisis. But it also be a mistake to invite them to come to Canada with no support, including how to put a roof over their heads. That’s why we expect learning institutions to only accept numbers of students that they’re able to provide for, able to house or assist in finding off campus housing.”
Currently, an applicant to Canada needs to show at least $10,000 in their bank account to prove that they can keep up with the cost-of-living in Canada.
In 2024, this
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