International students in Canada struggle as food insecurity rises

Key Takeaways

• Canada now requires international students to show $20,635 for annual living costs, excluding tuition and travel.
• Food banks in cities like Vancouver and Brampton have restricted or banned access for international students.
• Rising costs and limited support have led to increased food insecurity and adversely affected students’ health and studies.

Rising Costs and Food Bank Barriers Leave Canada’s International Students Hungry

International students in Canada are finding it harder than ever to afford basic food, as they face limits at food banks and increasing living costs. Food insecurity—a situation where a person cannot get enough healthy food every day—has become a common problem for many of these students. In the last year, things have gotten worse, making daily life more stressful for those who travel far from home to study in Canada 🇨🇦.

This situation is driven by prices rising faster than student budgets, stricter rules that keep international students out of food banks, and fewer support options. As a result, many students find themselves with empty fridges and mounting worries about how to get enough to eat.

What’s Happening With International Students and Food Insecurity?

International students are a large and growing part of Canada 🇨🇦’s university and college system, coming from countries around the world to study. Many choose Canada 🇨🇦 for its respected schools and promise of safety and good opportunities. But the reality is turning out to be much more difficult.

Costs for international students have gone up sharply. Tuition is usually much higher than what Canadian citizens pay—often three times as much or even more. Beyond tuition, the prices for rent, groceries, and other daily items have all increased, especially in big cities like Toronto or Vancouver.

As of January 2025, Canada 🇨🇦’s official rules require students applying for a study permit to show they have at least $20,635 to cover their annual living costs, not including tuition or travel. This policy was created to be sure students could take care of themselves. But many students say it is not enough, as average living costs can go much higher depending on where a person lives, what kind of housing is available, local food prices, and other needs.

“It’s not ok for students to be hungry. They are away from home…struggling financially…and it’s affecting those living off-campus as well as international or racialized students at even greater proportions…food insecurity gets higher with every year of study…”

Limits at Food Banks: A Changing Policy

Food banks have long been a safety net for people who cannot afford enough food. But lately, several major food banks in Canada 🇨🇦—such as those in Greater Vancouver and Brampton—have started to limit, or even ban, international students from using their help.

These changes are happening for several main reasons:

• Policy Requirement: Since international students must show proof of $20,635 as part of their visa, food banks argue these students should have enough to support themselves, at least in their first year in Canada 🇨🇦.
• Resource Strain: The number of people needing food help is at an all-time high. Food banks, which rely on donations, are finding themselves with less food to share, as more and more people ask for help—including Canadians and permanent residents who are also hit hard by rising prices.
• Mandate: Some food banks say their main goal is to serve the most vulnerable in the local community. They argue that international students, if they met funding rules for their visa, may not fit this group.

For example, food banks in places like Vancouver and Brampton have received a surge in visits from international students. In some cases, guides on social media taught others how to access these resources, making the lines at food banks even longer. These organizations say they must focus on those most in need, pointing to the growing demand among Canadian citizens and permanent residents.

The View from Students and Advocates

Student groups and non-profit organizations disagree with the food banks’ decisions. They say the numbers used by government do not match what students actually need to live a healthy life in expensive Canadian cities.

They also point out that:

• Many students arrive in Canada 🇨🇦 with little or no local support. Their families and support systems are in another country and cannot help with day-to-day emergencies.
• Job options are limited. International students are only allowed to work a set number of hours each week (usually 20 hours outside of school during regular terms), and many cannot find jobs right away. Even if they do, wages might not cover rising expenses.
• When unexpected expenses come up—like medical bills, emergency repairs, or sudden rent increases—students can quickly run out of money.

The result? Some international students skip meals, eat less healthy foods because they are cheaper, or rely on friends to help them get through tough months.

Impact on Health and Learning

Food insecurity touches nearly every part of a student’s life. The effects go beyond just feeling hungry:

• Physical Health: Poor food means poor health. Students might lose weight, get sick more often, or feel tired all the time. Malnutrition—meaning not getting enough vitamins and healthy foods—leads to bigger health problems over time.
• Mental Health: Worrying about where your next meal will come from is stressful. It can cause anxiety, depression, and trouble sleeping. Being far away from family makes these feelings even stronger.
• Academic Performance: Hunger makes it hard to concentrate. Many students struggle to pay attention in class and sometimes even miss school because they feel weak or embarrassed. Over time, this can lead students to drop out before they finish their degree.

International students and racialized groups (including students of color) are especially at risk, as they are less likely to have family nearby or to find low-cost, familiar foods that match their culture.

A Closer Look: The Numbers and Real-Life Stories

Statistics Canada estimates that the living costs for students in major cities can go well above $20,635 per year. In some cases, it can cost $2,000 per month—or $24,000 per year—just for rent and food, before including any emergencies or simple comforts.

Student-run food banks at universities report that the need among international students has risen quickly. For example, at campuses in Toronto and Vancouver, the number of students asking for food support doubled or even tripled in the last two years.

A researcher quoted in a university report put it simply: “Food insecurity gets higher with every year of study.” That means things only get worse for each generation of international students as prices and tuition continue to climb.

Community and Campus Responses

Some universities and colleges are trying to help. For example, Langara College created a program to give out grocery store gift cards to students facing hunger. But the help is limited—most students only get $200 per term, which many say covers only a week or two of groceries, not the full monthly bill. These emergency funds run out quickly and might miss students who are too embarrassed to ask for help.

Student unions and advocacy groups are asking for bigger changes, such as:

• Better government support: More financial help for international students, as well as adjustments every year so that supports rise with inflation.
• Policy revisions: Easier rules for work permits, so students can legally earn enough money to support themselves while studying.
• More targeted rebates: Bringing back federal programs that give extra money to low-income students or people facing hardship.

So far, many of these large-scale ideas remain just that—ideas. Without action from government leaders or school officials, students must depend on limited, short-term fixes.

Summary Table: Key Issues Facing International Students & Food Banks

To better understand the challenges, here is a summary:

This table gives a snapshot—a quick view—of what’s happening across Canada 🇨🇦 for these students.

Who Is Most at Risk?

While all students in Canada 🇨🇦 may face food insecurity at some point, international students and racialized groups are hit hardest. The reasons include:

• They arrive with little or no local family.
• Food from their home country is often hard to find or more expensive.
• Faced with the double problem of higher tuition and the need to prove higher savings before they even arrive.
• Work restrictions that cut their income.

Students living off-campus are especially at risk, as they might not have access to campus-run food banks or cheap meal plans. Students often share stories about skipping meals, getting by on instant noodles, or having to choose between paying rent and buying groceries.

The Bigger Picture: Why the Problem Is Growing

Food insecurity among international students isn’t just about individual choices or mistakes in planning. It is mostly about larger issues affecting everyone:

• The cost of living keeps rising across Canada 🇨🇦, especially in cities with large student populations.
• Tuition keeps climbing, with some schools increasing fees every year.
• Immigration policies require “proof of funds,” but the official amount often doesn’t match real-world costs.
• Food banks face shortages of their own, hit by higher prices and more people needing help.

Some people blame food banks for shutting students out, while others say the government must do more to make sure international students can survive and succeed. Most agree that leaving students hungry helps no one: it hurts health, learning, and Canada 🇨🇦’s reputation as a welcoming place for newcomers.

Possible Ways Forward

Advocates for international students and anti-poverty groups have suggested several things to help address food insecurity:

1. Increase Minimum Funding Requirements Annually: Make sure the money students must show to get their visa matches inflation and the real cost of living.
2. Allow More Work Hours: So students can better cover their expenses and not have to depend on charity for basic needs.
3. Expand Government Support: Offer emergency loans or grants for students facing quick changes in their situation, like family hardship or sudden costs.
4. Improve Campus Programs: Give out more grocery cards, free meal programs, or special support to those struggling the most.

For official information about study permits and the financial requirements for international students, you can visit the Government of Canada’s study permit page.

Why This Matters for Canada 🇨🇦

International students are important to Canada 🇨🇦 in many ways—boosting the economy, creating global connections, and helping schools stay strong. When these students face hunger and poverty, everyone is affected. It leads to poor health, trouble learning, and sometimes forces talented students to leave their studies and return home.

As reported by VisaVerge.com, food insecurity will likely get worse unless there are new policies and supports from the government, universities, and communities. Without change, another generation could end up facing even steeper costs and fewer chances for a better life.

Conclusion: What Needs to Happen Next

Food insecurity among international students in Canada 🇨🇦 is a real and growing problem, made much worse by the limits on food bank access and the rising costs of living. While food banks are stretched thin and follow their own rules, it is clear that the official supports for these students do not go far enough.

Many voices—students, advocates, and community leaders—are calling for immediate steps to help students put food on the table while also asking for bigger, long-term change. The health, success, and well-being of international students matter, not just for them, but for the future of Canada 🇨🇦’s schools and the country as a whole. Without stronger support, more international students will continue to struggle with food insecurity and may be forced to choose between their dreams and their next meal. For those seeking more details or to check the most current requirements, the Government of Canada’s official site remains the best place to start.

Learn Today

Food Insecurity → A condition where people do not have reliable access to enough nutritious food for a healthy, active life.
Proof of Funds → The official financial requirement international students must show when applying for a Canadian study permit.
Study Permit → A document issued by Canada allowing foreign nationals to study at designated learning institutions in the country.
Racialized Groups → Communities identified by their racial or ethnic identities, often facing systemic disadvantages or discrimination.
Malnutrition → A state resulting from insufficient or unbalanced intake of nutrients, causing health and developmental problems.

This Article in a Nutshell

Canada’s international students now struggle with food insecurity as living costs surge. Many face food bank restrictions and insufficient resources despite proof of funds. This growing crisis affects health, mental well-being, and academics. Coordinated policy changes and improved supports are urgently needed to prevent international students from going hungry while they study in Canada.
— By VisaVerge.com

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