(Credit: Roger Farias)
Canada’s new policies for international students include English proficiency exams, changes to work permit extensions, a focus on skilled employment aligned with government priorities, and new conditions for couples. Immigration Minister Marc Miller has announced these measures are essential to managing the growing number of temporary migrants and maintaining balance in the system, though they have caused stress for many.
106.9 The X has explored this story from the perspectives of various international students and their spouses. Some featured in this article have requested anonymity, either choosing to share only their first name, nationality, city, or college to avoid potential impacts on their immigration process.
(Credit: Roger Farias)
Lola, a fourth-term Fanshawe student from Nigeria, says constant policy changes are exhausting. “I stopped reading the news because it was affecting my mental health. Before coming here, I read the rules, but everything changes monthly, and that’s heartbreaking. What if they change it again? I need Canadian experience to apply what I’ve learned, but the uncertainty is overwhelming.”
Diana, a student from Peru, finished her program in December 2024. She says she and her husband chose Canada for its immigration policies for couples and students, but new rules have changed that perception. “It’s stressful and unfair that our partners now face new conditions to extend their work permits. To anyone considering immigrating here, I’d say don’t.”
(Credit: Roger Farias)
Pablo, the husband of an international student, says: “When my wife and I began this journey, we planned five years of our lives, from her studies to his post-graduation work permit. Now, with the new regulations, we face a huge challenge: if she doesn’t secure a job in the required fields, I won’t be able to work and stay here, and we would have to separate. This puts not only our dreams at risk but also our family unity, which should be a priority.”
Andrés, from Colombia, graduated in Winnipeg and is currently in implied status. He says he and his wife feel very anxious about the situation. ‘The government seems intent on reducing the number of immigrants at any cost by making it harder to obtain open work permits and lowering the number of residents. Securing a (Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities) TEER 0 or 1 job is already difficult in your home country; here, it’s even more challenging,” he says.
(Credit: Roger Farias)
Ivan, a first-year Fanshawe student from China, says the proficiency test is reasonable. “The English level required for graduation in Canada is the same or even lower than what’s needed for entry. If you can’t pass it, you don’t qualify for entry in the first place. I understand the government wants highly skilled people, but those already enrolled should be exempt from the new policies.”
Jaime, who arrived from a Latin American country with his partner three years ago, is a Humber College graduate in Toronto and is currently applying to get the Permanent Residence. He says Canada’s new policies unfairly target temporary workers already in the country. “The rules should apply only to new arrivals, not to those who have already invested time, money, and effort. Thankfully, they don’t affect my spouse and me, but they unfairly impact those finishing their studies,” he said.
(Credit: Roger Farias)
For her part, Paola, a Fanshawe student who arrived in Canada in 2023 from Chile, says the new rules affect her deeply. “We are a family of five, and I just found out I’m pregnant. With these changes, my husband won’t be able to get his Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP). Finding a job in London is already difficult because it’s a student city, and now we’re limited in the jobs that can help us extend our permit. I’ll be lucky if I can find a job while pregnant, and I’m worried about getting the health card and avoiding birth expenses.”
(Credit: Roger Farias)
1069 The X reached out to Corey Janke, M.Ed, BSW, and RSW from iMPOWER Counselling Services, who emphasizes that international students face unique challenges impacting their mental health, including culture shock, homesickness, and financial insecurity. “These challenges, along with immigration concerns and isolation, increase the risk of anxiety, depression, and stress.” Many are hesitant to seek help due to stigma and language barriers. A lack of social support and limited connections to cultural or religious communities can further exacerbate distress. “These factors, along with unfamiliar social norms and academic expectations, contribute to their mental health struggles,” he concludes.
