Canada hikes immigration application fees, impacting international students and workers

Toronto: The Government of Canada has implemented a significant increase in immigration application fees, effective December 1, affecting international students and other applicants.

Experts warn this move could make it harder for many, including Punjabis, to pursue their dreams of studying and settling abroad.

The increased fees apply to various categories, including student visas, visitor visas, temporary accommodations, study permits, and work permits. Despite paying higher fees, applicants are not guaranteed visa approval.

Similarly, workers entering Canada on visitor visas can no longer transition to permanent residency through an LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment) permit. Students, who previously improved their eligibility scores by 55 points with work permits, will no longer have this advantage.

The market value of such permits was reportedly up to $40,000.

The changes come as approximately 250,000 international students face uncertainties due to potential retrenchments. On the first day of the fee hike, 14,000 political asylum applications were reportedly submitted by Punjabis, highlighting the challenges posed by these new regulations.