Canada has long been recognized as a leading destination for international students, offering exceptional educational opportunities, a diverse and inclusive environment, and pathways to work or immigrate after graduation. With the growing number of students choosing Canada, the government has taken steps to ensure the International Student Program (ISP) remains effective and transparent. On November 15, 2024, new regulations were introduced to strengthen the program’s accountability and provide better support for students.

Academic Priorities and Work Opportunities

A key update to the International Student Program is the revision of work hour limits for international students. To ensure that students maintain their academic focus, the new regulation permits up to 24 hours of off-campus work per week during academic terms. Full-time work remains allowed during scheduled breaks, such as summer or winter holidays. This adjustment aims to allow students to gain valuable work experience while prioritizing their studies. 

Strengthening Oversight for Designated Learning Institutions

Under the new regulations, Designated learning institutions (DLIs) are now required to submit compliance reports twice a year to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. These reports verify whether enrolled students are meeting the terms of their study permits.

Failure to comply with reporting requirements could result in penalties, including a suspension from admitting new international students for up to a year. This measure ensures accountability and prevents program misuse, reinforcing high standards across institutions.

Improved Verification Processes to Prevent Fraud

Canada has taken proactive steps to prevent fraudulent applications within the International Student Program. The introduction of the Letter of Acceptance (LOA) verification system in December 2023 has been essential in addressing this issue. Since its launch, the system has reviewed nearly 529,000 LOAs, confirming 492,000 as valid and identifying over 17,000 as fraudulent or invalid.

New Rules for Changing Institutions

To strengthen oversight further, international students are now required to apply for and obtain a new study permit if they wish to transfer to a different DLI. This additional step ensures greater transparency and enables IRCC to track students’ academic progress, creating a more reliable framework for managing program compliance.