Canada Caps New Student Permits for 2 Yrs; Approvals to Go Down by 35%

The Canadian government has announced a two-year cap on international student permits, effective immediately. This comes in response to rising concerns over the housing crunch and the “integrity of the student system” for international students in the country. However, this is a temporary policy and will be re-evaluated in 2025. Moreover, it does not apply to students pursuing master’s or doctoral programs and current study permit holders. 

This move is likely to bring the number of approved study permits in the country down to 360,000 in 2024, around 35% less than last year. But, graduate students will now be able to apply for a three-year post-graduate work permit with this updated policy. 

"Some private institutions have taken advantage of international students by operating under-resourced campuses, lacking support for students and charging high tuition fees, all the while significantly increasing their intake of international students," Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration in Canada, said in a statement. 

The government aims to protect international students from institutions acting in bad faith, especially colleges that are public-private partnerships, as these provide low-quality education at high costs. Thus, this move will streamline the intake process, ensuring students receive a quality academic experience in Canada. Implementing this policy will simultaneously ease the housing crunch in the country. 

"To be absolutely clear, these measures are not against individual international students. They are to ensure that as future students arrive in Canada, they receive the quality of education that they signed up for and the hope that they were provided in their home countries,” Miller attested, highlighting the country’s unwavering commitment to welcoming international students. 

How will the Government Implement this Move? 

The Canadian government is looking to distribute a portion of the cap to each territory and province in the country. Following this, each province and territory must distribute the cap among their institutions. To ensure proper implementation, every study permit application received by IRCC(Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada) must have a valid attestation letter from the territory or province. 

During these two years, the Canadian government will work in tandem with the learning institutions in various provinces and territories to craft a sustainable path for international students and ensure the availability of adequate student housing.