The Canadian government has in a statement, unveiled comprehensive measures aimed at controlling its population growth and addressing housing concerns by implementing a two-year cap on the intake of international students, effective from 2024.
This policy overhaul also includes restrictions on the issuance of work permits to postgraduate students upon graduation. Study permit applications that will be accepted in 2025 will be re-assessed at the end of the year.
The decision, announced by Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, reflects a concerted effort to strike a balance between maintaining the integrity of Canada’s immigration system and fostering the success of international students.
“Today, we are announcing additional measures to protect a system that has become so lucrative that it has opened a path for its abuse. Enough is enough. Through the decisive measures announced today, we are striking the right balance for Canada and ensuring the integrity of our immigration system while setting students up for the success they hope for,” Miller said.
Miller highlighted the pressing need to curb the escalating stream of international students, particularly from UK universities, which has placed considerable strain on Canada’s infrastructure and housing facilities. Recognizing the imbalances in population growth across provinces, individual caps have been established, meticulously weighted by population, to ensure equitable distribution and address the unsustainable surge in international students’ populations, particularly in provinces experiencing exponential growth.
“Rapid increases in the number of international students arriving in Canada also put pressure on housing, health care and other services. As we work to better protect international students from bad actors and support sustainable population growth in Canada, the government is moving forward with measures to stabilize the number of international students in Canada,” Miller added.
The 2024 cap is set to result in approximately 360,000 approved study permits, marking a 35 percent decrease from 2023. In a bid to simplify the allocation process and enhance oversight, the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will allocate a portion of the cap to each province and territory, facilitating distribution to designated learning institutions. Commencing January 22, 2024, the implementation of these measures will necessitate study permit applications to include an attestation letter from a province or territory, emphasizing the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability in managing international student intake.
Furthermore, effective September 1, 2024, international students enrolled in private colleges under curriculum licensing agreements will face revised eligibility criteria for post-graduation work permits. This measure aims to address concerns regarding oversight and eligibility loopholes, particularly in programmes with significant international students’ enrollment.
Despite these changes, graduates of master’s degree programmes remain eligible for post-graduation work permits, contingent on the duration of their study programme. Additionally, exceptions are extended to students pursuing master’s and doctoral degrees, as well as those enrolled in elementary and secondary education. Notably, current study permit holders and renewals remain unaffected by these policy adjustments, providing continuity and stability for existing international students.
“In the spirit of fairness, individual provincial and territorial caps have been established, weighted by population, which will result in much more significant decreases in provinces where the international student population has seen the most unsustainable growth. Study permit renewals will not be impacted. Those pursuing master’s and doctoral degrees, and elementary and secondary education are not included in the cap. Current study permit holders will not be affected,” Miller noted.
