Canada: announced to increase the financial criteria for international students

Move is taken to address concerns about international students facing challenges....

Canada has recently announced to increase in the financial criteria for international students applying for study permits and further warned the provinces and educational institutions that it will "significantly limit visas" before the upcoming fall in the case appropriate actions are taken.

The decision also extends the temporary lift on the 20-hour work limit for international students, now extended until April 30, 2024.

Canada's Immigration Minister, Marc Miller, said during a press conference that certain educational institutions are operating as "puppy mills" and emphasised the need to address fraud and abuse within the system

He said, "There are, in provinces, the diploma equivalent of puppy mills that are just churning out diplomas, and this is not a legitimate student experience."

The minister emphasised the government's commitment to protecting international students from potential vulnerabilities and exploitation.

However, he made it clear that if provinces fail to act, the federal government is prepared to intervene, stating, "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."

The move is taken to address concerns about international students facing challenges in finding suitable housing and being forced into exploitative jobs, according to CBC