New Rules and Changes for International Students in Canada: 2024 Updates
Are you an international student hoping to study in Canada in 2024? With a new year here, it’s crucial to understand the most recent student visa policy updates from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) if you plan to apply for a study permit.This article will explain all the need-to-know changes for 2024 in detail so you can stay on top of Canada’s newest study permit and student visa rules and requirements. Extended Off-Campus Work Hours for International Students Typically, international students in Canada are limited to just 20 hours per week of off-campus work during regular academic semesters under the terms of their study permit. This restricts the amount of income and professional work experience international students can gain.However, IRCC recently extended more flexible study permit work hours rules until April 30, 2024. This allows international students to continue working additional off-campus hours above the usual 20 hour per week limit.This is fantastic news for international students, who can now continue to earn extra income and build their resumes with in-demand Canadian work experience until the end of April 2024. Take advantage of this opportunity to cover expenses and develop professional skills. Increased Minimum Financial Support Requirements for Study Permits One requirement for Canadian study permit approval is showing proof that you have sufficient financial support to pay for living expenses during your studies, on top of travel costs and tuition.Previously, the minimum amount international students had to prove for annual financial support was $10,000 CAD. However, due to rising costs of living and inflation in Canada, this baseline amount has been increased to $20,635 CAD for 2024.Therefore, all new Canadian study permit applications submitted after January 1, 2024 must meet these updated higher minimum financial support requirements. Start preparing now to be able to demonstrate you can support yourself. Changes to Post-Graduation Work Permit Eligibility Requirements Historically, international students could only qualify for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) after graduating from an eligible Canadian academic program delivered fully in-person. However, due to COVID-19, a temporary exemption was created that allowed PGWP eligibility if up to 50% of studies were completed online.This COVID-19 PGWP exemption remains in place for international students who apply to start a Canadian study program prior to September 1, 2024. It’s important to note, however, that there are currently no plans to extend this PGWP policy accommodation further beyond that cutoff date. New Study Permit Application Form Introduced Applying for a Canadian study permit just got easier! As of December 1, 2023, IRCC introduced an updated version of the study permit application form (IMM1294).Older editions of this form will no longer be accepted for study permit submissions made through IRCC’s online secure account system after this date. Be sure to access and use the new IMM1294 application form for any study permit requests submitted December 1, 2023 or later. Mandatory Validation of Canadian School Acceptance Letters Finally, a new requirement taking effect December 1, 2023 mandates that all Canadian academic institutions must formally validate and confirm the authenticity of every international student acceptance letter they issue.If your Canadian school or university fails to complete validation of your acceptance letter in time, your study permit application could be returned and your application fee refunded.To avoid potential delays, follow up with your institution to ensure they have validated your acceptance for study permit processing. Ready to Study in Canada? We Can Help! If you need assistance navigating Canada’s complex and changing international student visa application process, the experts at Schooloutside are here to help!Our dedicated team can guide you through every step, from finding the perfect Canadian school, to securing your valid study permit, to arriving prepared on campus.Contact us today to learn more about how we can support your Canadian study dreams!
GERMANY STUDENT VISA REQUIREMENT FOR NIGERIANS
Process to get a Germany student visa You can find out whether your nationality needs a visa, residence permit, or both, by contacting your nearest German consulate. The Germany student visa application cost is between €60-€75. Germany national student visa When applying for a visa to study in Germany you will need to follow these steps: 1. Receive a letter of confirmation from a German higher education institution 2. Fill in an online or paper application form with your personal information (this depends on the country you are applying from) 3. Gather the required documentation, including proof of finances and English proficiency 4. Set up a visa appointment if necessary at your local embassy or consulate 5. Attend your interview and present any documents 6. Receive a decision on your visa 7. Register at a registration office before your visa expires Student applicant visa for Germany This is a type of visa available to some prospective students that can be used to travel to Germany whilst searching for a university program to enroll on. It provides you with a visa for a three-month stay whilst going through the admissions process and can be extended if required. If you receive confirmation of admission you can then convert the applicant visa into a student visa or residence permit. Germany student visa requirements When applying for a visa to study in Germany, you may need to have the following documentation ready to upload or show at your visa interview: – Completed application forms – Proof of English proficiency – University letter of confirmation – Academic records and transcripts – Passport / ID – Any previous Germany permits and visas if relevant – Blocked bank account with sufficient funds to support yourself Blocked bank account You may be asked to present information from a blocked bank account, which is for visa / residence permit applicants to display their funds to authorities and show they can support themselves while in the country. To get a blocked bank account you must open when you have received confirmation of admission to your chosen university. Fintiba is the most popular company to offer this type of account and generally needs 10,236 placed into the account to cover a 12 month period in Germany. This is then given back to the owner on a monthly basis. When you are dealing with large amounts of money, beware of any scams targeting international students by researching how a company like Fintiba will legitimately contact you. Germany student visa work permit A work permit is not required in addition to a student visa. Students are permitted to work part-time in Germany on their student visa or residence permit as long as it does not exceed 120 days or 240 half days a year. Students from the EU can work up to 20 hours per week. READ ABOUT FINLAND STUDENT VISA HERE Interested in studying or traveling to Germany? Let’s hear from you! Start your application by filling out the form below. Takes only 2 minutes to complete
