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HomeNewsCanada’s New Rules for International Students
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Published on: November 20th, 2024
By: Mariam Baher
On November 15, 2024, the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), announced that new regulations for international students would take effect immediately. These changes focus on the number of hours students are permitted to work during the academic school year and during holiday breaks. Other changes that have taken effect are rules for international students who want to change schools, as well as how designated learning institutions (DLI) report international student information.
Ultimately, these changes benefit international students and aim to protect them while preventing fraud and ensuring that schools follow the correct international student guidelines.
Off-Campus Work Hours Increase
Following the recent changes, international students can now work up to 24 hours a week during the school year as opposed to the previous 20-hour limit per week. This change allows students to have the opportunity to integrate themselves into the Canadian working force and earn extra money to support their tuition fees and living costs.
International students can work full-time during scheduled breaks which are when the school closes during summer, winter and easter breaks. Students are permitted to work full-time during these breaks as long as they are respecting the study permit authorization granted to them, which means being enrolled in their program as a full-time student at a designated learning institute.
To make sure that you are eligible to work 24 hours per week off-campus or full-time during scheduled breaks, the conditions must be explicitly indicated in your study permit. If your permit lacks these conditions, you can request an amendment to add them by contacting IRCC.
Violating Work Conditions
As a student, you are responsible for maintaining accurate records of your working hours and complying with your study permit conditions. If, for example, you exceed the 24-hour work limit during the school year or work outside of the conditions indicated on your study permit, there could be serious consequences, such as:
Loss of student status
Ineligibility for future immigration programs, including study or work permits
Potential removal from Canada
Accountability Measures for Schools
With the new changes, Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) that accept international students, must submit reports to the government twice a year to confirm that students are enrolled and abiding by the rules. If the institution fails to report this or if the government is made aware that students are no longer enrolled, the institution could undergo an investigation and be prohibited from accepting new international students for up to a year.
Transferring Schools
Following the changes, students must now apply for a new study permit if they want to transfer to a different school. This rule will help ensure students attend approved schools and that their study permits are up to date.
Verifying The Letter of Acceptance (LOA)
The Canadian government is taking strong measures to ensure that Letters of Acceptance (LOA) from schools are authentic and valid. There has been a troubling rise in some individuals attempting to manipulate the system to gain entry to Canada. As of December 20
23, IRCC has checked approximately 492,000 LOAs and during this process, over 17,000 cases were discovered where the letters were either forged or cancelled. These efforts are critical in maintaining the integrity of the international student program and ensuring that only eligible international students are studying in Canada— legally.
Provincial attestation letter (PAL)
In addition to verifying the letters of acceptance, students are required to provide a provincial attestation letter as well for most applications, unless they fall under the few exceptions.
If you are planning to study in Canada or need help navigating these new changes, we are here to assist you. At Canadim, we can help you navigate through these recent changes, ensuring your study permit and work conditions are in line with the latest rules and regulations.
https://www.canadim.com/news/canadas-new-rules-for-international-students/
News
Ugandan Citizen Abducted, Held in Secret Detention for Three Months, Sparks Outrage and Calls for Justice
A disturbing new case of unlawful detention has surfaced, highlighting the ongoing human rights crisis in Uganda. A Ugandan citizen was reportedly abducted and held in a secret facility, known as a “safe house,” for three months, only to be released without charge or explanation. This incident, reported by NTV Uganda, has sparked widespread condemnation and renewed calls for accountability regarding human rights abuses in the country.
While the details surrounding the abduction remain unclear, reports indicate that the individual was taken without due process and held incommunicado—an action that has long been condemned by human rights organizations. The victim’s release, with no charges filed and no clear justification, has angered activists and citizens, who view this as yet another case of egregious abuse of power by the state.
“This is a recurring pattern,” said one human rights activist. “Abductions, secret detentions, and unexplained releases have become all too common in Uganda. These acts violate fundamental human rights and erode public trust in the justice system.”
The use of “safe houses,” unregistered detention facilities reportedly operated by security forces, has been a focal point in numerous allegations of torture and illegal imprisonment. Despite repeated calls from both local and international organizations for their closure and accountability for those involved, little action has been taken to address these violations.
This case underscores the urgent need for reform within Uganda’s security apparatus and greater accountability for human rights abuses. Observers hope that drawing attention to these injustices will spur concrete action to bring those responsible to justice and ensure the protection of basic human rights.
As frustration mounts, calls for both domestic and international pressure to hold the government accountable for such crimes grow louder. “One day, there must be accountability for all these crimes against our people,” stated one social media user, reflecting the sentiments of many Ugandans.
National Unity Platform (NUP) President Robert Kyagulanyi has accused Ugandan security forces of using excessive force to disrupt a planned NUP gathering. The allegations were detailed in a statement shared on Twitter, following an event held to honor children of NUP supporters who were killed, disappeared, or detained for their political beliefs.
According to Kyagulanyi, security personnel, under the command of an officer identified as Asiimwe, carried out a preemptive operation early in the morning upon learning of the NUP’s plans. The forces allegedly stormed the premises, arrested workers, and deployed tear gas to disperse those present.
“The criminals under the command of one Asiimwe deployed early morning, arrested our workers, and threw tear gas into our premises. They’ve cordoned off the premises and blocked all people from accessing the place,” Kyagulanyi wrote.
Among those reportedly arrested were Saava Peter, Mudenya Samson, and Turyasingura Samson. Kyagulanyi claimed the detained workers were subjected to beatings and interrogated about their political affiliations, with security operatives labeling them as terrorists.
“These JATT operatives asked the workers who they support politically, branding them terrorists and criminals—their only crime being that they work with us. You can imagine the indignity!” Kyagulanyi lamented.
This incident adds to the growing tension in Uganda’s political climate, where opposition parties frequently accuse the government of stifling dissent. Despite the challenges, Kyagulanyi ended his statement with a message of defiance and optimism, proclaiming, “UGANDA WILL BE FREE.”
NUP Gathering Disrupted: Kyagulanyi Alleges Security Force Harassment and Arrests
News
Sudan Demands Apology from Uganda Over Army Chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s Threat to Invade Khartoum
Sudan has demanded an official apology from Uganda over “offensive and dangerous” comments made by the chief of Uganda army staff, who threated to invade Khartoum, the Sudan Tribune has reported.
General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, son of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and CDF of the Ugandan army, posted two comments on the X platform on Tuesday in which he threatened “to capture Khartoum” with the support of the US President elect Donald Trump after he takes office. The posts were deleted later.
“The government of Sudan demands and official apology from the Ugandan government for the offensive and dangerous comments of the army commander,” Sudan’s foreign ministry said in a statement that the Sudan Tribune said it has seen.
Sudan Demands Apology from Uganda Over Army Chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s Threat to Invade Khartoum