Recent Immigration Changes

How Canada's 2024 immigration policy changes may affect you as an international student.

Proof of funds increase

Effective January 1, 2024, the financial requirements for students have increased to reflect the cost of living.
For one person, you now require CAN $20,635 to study in Canada.
This amount is reviewed annually and will apply when requesting a study permit extension.

If you began your program of study between September 1, 2022, and August 31, 2024

Your online studies completed from outside Canada can count towards the length of a future PGWP, provided they constitute less than 50% of the program.

If you begin your program on or after September 1, 2024

You must complete at least 50% of your studies in person (in a classroom) in Canada. Any semesters spent studying from abroad will be deducted from the length of a future post-graduation work permit.

As of April 30, 2024, open work permits are no longer available for spouses of new international students at Camosun College.
If your spouse already holds a work permit, they are not affected by this policy change and can continue working.
If your spouse already has a work permit and needs to apply to extend it while you complete your studies, they will be eligible for an extension and are not affected by this policy change.

The temporary public policy allowing students to work more than 20 hours per week off-campus ended on April 30, 2024.
Starting November 15, 2024, new regulations under your study permit conditions will allow eligible international students to work up to 24 hours per week off-campus during their studies.

Students must apply for and be approved for a new study permit before changing institutions, which will also subject them to the new PGWP field of study requirement.

As of June 21, 2024, applying for a PGWP at the Canada-U.S. border via "flagpoling" will no longer be an option.
Applicants must now submit their applications online.

Starting January 22, 2024, all study permit applications submitted from outside Canada (including extensions or restoration of status) require a PAL. If you need to extend your study permit from outside Canada, please contact Camosun International to obtain a PAL.
If you are inside Canada and are applying for a study permit extension or restoration of status, you do not need a PAL.
•If you are an exchange student, you do not need a PAL.

Graduates with a degree or a diploma from Camosun College may be eligible to apply for several BC PNP streams, including the International Graduate stream, if you meet the eligibility criteria.
For more information, please watch this BC PNP video
International students can connect with the Government of BC’s Ministry of Municipal Affairs at: pnpinfo@gov.bc.ca

Students who have a valid study permit and are enrolled in a PGWP-eligible program at Camosun College can apply for a Post-graduation work permit (PGWP) based on the current eligibility rules before they change on November 1, 2024.
Current students applying for a PGWP on or after November 1, 2024 must meet language requirements (CELPIP, IELTs or PTE)
if you apply for a study permit on or after November 1, 2024, you’ll need to meet update PGWP eligibility criteria that involve specific approved fields of study.

In person: Monday-Thursday, 9am-4pm
- Lansdowne campus – Isabel Dawson building (ID), Room 201
- Interurban campus – Liz Ashton Campus Centre (LACC), Room 251
By email: international_advisors@camosun.ca
By phone: 250-370-4812, Monday-Friday, 9am-4pm