Canada - International Student Cap: Additional Information announced
In a recent announcement, the Canadian government disclosed pivotal changes to the issuance of international study permits for the year 2024. The decision aims to address concerns and enhance the quality of education, immigration pathways, and overall management of the system.
Below, you can find the main takeaways from the announcement and the additional information released by Government of Canada’ on February 5th, 2024.
Main Takeaways from the Announcement
The key aspects of the announcement include a substantial reduction, over one-third compared to the previous year, in the number of new international study permits issued by Ottawa. The Immigration Minister Marc Miller emphasized a freeze on the growth of international students for the next two years, aligning the number of granted visas with those expiring.
Under the revamped system, study permits will now be allocated to each province based on its population share, introducing a cap on college and undergraduate programs. However, this cap excludes those pursuing master’s and doctoral degrees, as well as students renewing existing visas. Additionally, elementary and secondary school permits remain unaffected.
Notably, Ontario and British Columbia are anticipated to be the most impacted provinces by these regulatory changes due to their higher share of international students. As the cap will be imposed on a per capita basis, provinces that historically welcome a larger number of foreign students, such as Ontario, will need to make significant adjustments, facing an approximate 50% reduction in intake. This highlights a crucial aspect of the reform, shedding light on the regional variations in the application of the new measures.
According to the new system to streamline the application process, foreign students entering undergraduate or college programs must now submit a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) with their federal application. Ottawa has granted the premiers a deadline until March 31 to develop a procedure for issuing the required documents. During this period, the application process for individuals entering undergraduate or college programs will be temporarily paused with the exception of Quebec, which has an existing process in operation.
Furthermore, starting September, international students attending schools under public-private partnerships will no longer be eligible for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP). However, existing students in such programs will remain eligible for PGWP if they meet other criteria. The government is also restricting new work permits for spouses of students to those with partners in graduate studies.
Who Is Affected and Who Is Not
The regulation predominantly affects prospective international students intending to pursue undergraduate or college programs in Canada, while master’s and doctoral students, along with those renewing existing permits, remain unaffected. Elementary and secondary school permit holders are also exempt from these announced changes.
Current Dynamics in Canada and Faults in the Existing System
The Canadian higher education system heavily relies on international student tuition, contributing significantly to university finances. The changes aim to address the challenges posed by the rapid increase in international student numbers over the past decade.
The international student cap seeks to rectify a broken system where institutions, lacking consistent regulation, issued admission letters beyond manageable limits. Some institutions marketed permanent residency without providing adequate education. The cap aims to weed out such schools, improving the overall quality of education and immigration processes.
Possible Outcomes
While the cap intends to enhance the quality of education and immigration processes, concerns about decreased revenue for postsecondary schools have arisen. The federal cap could pose financial risks, potentially leading to layoffs, program closures, and impacting Canada's reputation, as noted by university and college leaders.
The recent changes to international study permits signal a significant shift in Canada's approach to managing its education and immigration systems. As the government works towards ensuring the quality of education and immigration pathways, it remains crucial for stakeholders to adapt to these changes and navigate potential challenges on the horizon.
Further details and updates on the announcement can be found on the IRCC website.