The International Student Program in Canada has long created challenging conditions for international students—they pay higher tuition fees than domestic students, have restricted access to institutional financial support, are not allowed to work full-time off campus, face discrimination related to race and additional aspects when looking for jobs, and have limited experience in the Canadian job market. 

To have a study permit application approved, international students meet all the government requirements.This includes proving that they have a minimum amount of money for living expenses in order to prevent students from working beyond the limits on their permits. This amount changed in 2024 from $10,000 to $ 20,635 for international students requesting a study permit for the first time as well as for those requesting a study permit renewal. The federal government has argued that these rules protect the integrity of Canada’s system to attract international students—ensuring foreign students meet rigorous academic requirements while also demonstrating the financial means to support themselves and contributing to the Canadian economy through tightly controlled access to local jobs.

Once international students begin their studies in Canada, their continuity and ability to contribute to society beyond the campus walls are under threat. Study continuity for international students is connected to their financial security—and since financial security is impacted by things beyond people’s control such as inflation and emergencies, policies restricting access to employment and support systems make it unfairly difficult for international students to be financially secure in Canada. Policies differentiating international students from domestic students intensify systemic barriers such as racism. Is this the kind of society we want for the future?

In spring 2023, I interviewed international graduate students studying in Ontario.They described some of the systemic barriers related to their financial security in Canada. The experiences that the participants shared are, of course, unique to them—but their stories illustrate interconnected problems that have effects on the financial security of international students across the country.

The lack of transparency from institutions was a concern from international students in the study. Universities do not always clearly explain their fees to international students. As one of my research participants put it: 

“From the university side, I haven’t [been] informed [of the] amount of annual fees I have to pay. I [had] to refer [to] many alumni for the process, so there was not a clearer picture of how much I [had] to pay.”

Having a clear awareness about what they will receive as financial support and all the fees they will pay is crucial for international students’ decision to move to Canada—as well as for their economic security and study continuity. 

In some institutions, graduate students working as teaching assistants have their scholarship funding proportionately reduced when they receive a pay increase. Graduate student groups have raised the issue of such clawbacks, which affect international students working as teaching assistants and further exacerbate financial challenges. Clawbacks are unfair to all graduate students, but can be even more harmful for international students because of the higher fees they pay. All these issues are connected to the underfunding of universities.

Despite having institutional funding, one participant in the study highlighted that a full commitment to being a student is not possible with the cost of living in Canada. “I have to work because that money [institutional funding] is not enough to live right now. … And that makes life as [an] international student, sometimes, you can’t give your 100 per cent to the study because you need to work.” 

This situation is aggravated by the constant policy changes that directly impact international students, who have limited access to support systems and labour protection. International students are only able to work off-campus for 24 hours per week, but employers’ expectations may be different from what students can do in terms of policies and class schedules. One research participant said that “getting a part-time [job] was very tough because people [wanted] full-time availability, which again is not possible for me because I have my classes.” 

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada recently announced that the number of hours per week international students are allowed to work off campus increased from 20 to 24. However, removing the hour limit could contribute to employers being more open to hiring international students and negotiating work schedules. Beyond that, institutions could offer flexible class schedules that allow all students to balance work and study.

Finding a part-time job can also be challenging, since there are restricted opportunities for meaningful jobs. One participant emphasized the interconnection of some of their unique identity aspects when looking for jobs, and highlighted the role of universities in providing part-time employment for students if they cannot increase funding:

“You need to [have a] part-time job. But for the part-time job, [there is] no opportunity. And I have some physical issues that I cannot stand and do things fast. So, I cannot work in a fast-food chain like Tim Hortons, Subway and I’m a vegetarian.  . . . how can they support students, right? Especially in terms of funding or in terms of doing, if they cannot raise funding, at least [provide a] part-time job, right?”

One participant reported additional difficulties to be allowed to work—where study permit conditions prevented access to the Social Insurance Number, which allows people to work in Canada. 

“After I reached here and then in a day or two, I had to go and apply for the SIN number. So, when I went to the office in [neighborhood], they told me that there should be some conditions written that you’re allowed to work. There should be something printed on the study permit, but they missed [printing] that part. So, I couldn’t get my SIN number. I had to send back the study permit to the government, and then have an amendment made. And then, I received a new study permit, and this took about four months.”

 International students’ status impacts their access to job opportunities, and these systemic barriers to employment affect international students’ ability to keep studying in Canada due to financial challenges—and study continuity is closely related to access to job opportunities in Canada. Greater supports are clearly needed from multiple actors, including universities, local and federal governments, and employers.

International students contribute to Canada with their knowledge, skills, and experience. The narrative that unfairly associates international students with the housing and health care crises—which is becoming more prominent in the leadup to the upcoming federal election—shifts attention from the persistent systemic issues that keep creating vulnerabilities for marginalized groups.

It is crucial that Canadian policy at all levels become better and more equitable for all students. Securing fair public funding for higher education institutions may be one of the first steps for interrupting differential fees and disrupting the idea that international students are different from permanent residents and citizens. If we do not do better as a society, there is a high risk that international students will suffer increasing discrimination and continue to be exploited for economic and political reasons. Is this really the kind of society we are aiming for?