By Canada announced on Monday its decision to implement a temporary, two-year cap on the issuance of new study permits for international students. The cap is set at around 364,000 study permits, potentially leading to a 35% overall reduction in new study visas for 2024. Immigration Minister Marc Miller disclosed that specific provinces may face even steeper reductions.
This development comes as the number of international students holding study permits in Canada exceeded one million for the first time last year, as reported by The Globe and Mail. Notably, 37% of all international students were from India, forming the largest national cohort.
The two-year limit on international student admissions adds to a series of measures recently implemented by the Canadian government to enhance integrity controls within the country’s student visa program.
Minister Miller emphasized that these measures aim to ensure that future students arriving in Canada receive the quality of education they expect, addressing concerns about resource availability. Miller, speaking in Montreal, stated that allowing bad actors to continue their operations would undermine the reputation of institutions providing a top-tier academic experience.
Canada had been considering the possibility of capping the number of international students to manage housing demand and address systemic issues.
“For 2024, the cap is expected to result in approximately 364,000 approved study permits, reflecting a 35% decrease from 2023,” Miller noted. The government will allocate the cap space by province based on population, with some provinces facing more significant reductions.
Effective immediately, applicants must provide a provincial attestation with their study permit application, according to the minister. However, the cap will not apply to students in graduate-level programs, including master’s or doctoral studies. Study permit applications at the elementary and secondary school levels will also be exempt.
Importantly, the cap will not affect applicants within Canada seeking to extend their studies, nor will it impact current study permit holders in the country.
