Changes to Canada’s immigration policies have recently stirred significant conversation, especially among international students, particularly those from India. With new updates to the International Student Programme, recent alterations are starting to influence the lives of many students who have moved to Canada for education and employment opportunities.
One of the most notable changes has been the increase of the work hours international students can undertake during their studies. Previously capped at 20 hours per week, the new rule allows students to work up to 24 hours weekly during academic sessions. The Canadian government believes this alteration will help students manage their finances more effectively, providing them with additional flexibility to support their living expenses as they pursue their studies.
Canada's Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, Marc Miller, confirmed these changes, stating their aim is to bolster both student support and the integrity of the program itself. While the increased hours might be seen as good news, students are also facing the end of the Student Direct Stream (SDS) program, which had expedited the study permit processing for numerous Indian students over the past six years.
The termination of the SDS program means students will now transition to the standard study permit process—a move regarded as necessary to align with Canada’s long-term economic goals. This shift, which came to light after November 8, 2024, may create hurdles for prospective candidates who are now expected to navigate more complex application procedures.
While existing applications under the SDS program before the deadline still benefit from faster processing, new international students starting their journeys will face potentially longer waiting times as they try to establish their footing.
These policy revisions are not entirely unexpected. They aim to address some pressing concerns around fraud prevention within the International Student Programme. The Canadian government has noted its commitment to maintaining the quality and credibility of its immigration policies, which have come under scrutiny at times for being less rigorous.
Reports have surfaced indicating the importance of these updates not only for student welfare but also for Canada’s economic needs. By rooting out fraudulent applications and ensuring students possess legitimate reasons for relocating and working within Canada, the government strives to uphold the integrity of its immigration system.
Indian students, who account for a substantial segment of the international student body in Canada, have predominantly been impacted by these new measures. Although the increase of working hours provides some relief, the end of the expedited SDS processing poses significant new challenges.
Students are eager to find balance: securing sufficient income to support their studies, adapting to the shifting bureaucratic terrain, and potentially facing unanticipated delays. The government’s assertion of these new rules highlights their overarching strategy to instill trust and manage the expectations of both students and the Canadian public alike as they continue to assess the merits of international education policies.
While the increased cap on work hours may cushion the financial burdens for many students, they are now tasked with adapting their plans around the newly structured study permit timelines. Newly arriving and current students alike are expected to remain vigilant as they adjust to these developments, ensuring their dreams of academic and professional success are not thwarted by administrative changes.
Overall, as Canada embraces new immigration policies, the responses of the students and the educational institutions involved will play pivotal roles. The dialogue surrounding these changes will inevitably evolve, drawing attention from ranks of students, universities, and policymakers seeking to understand their ramifications.
