Canada implements 35% reduction in international student admissions to stabilise growth

Canada authorities have reduced admission slots for foreign students. [Silvercloud travels] ©provided by Business Insider Africa

Canada has introduced a temporary cap n to limit the admission of foreign students into the country for two years to stabilise growth. For 2024, the cap is expected to result in approximately 360,000 approved study permits, a decrease of 35% from 2023.

・The cap is expected to result in approximately 360,000 approved study permits, a decrease of 35% from 2023.

・These temporary measures will be in place for two years.

・Current study permit holders, individuals renewing their study permits, and those pursuing master’s and doctoral degrees will not be affected by these caps.

Canada’s Immigration Minister, Marc Miller, announced on Monday the establishment of provincial and territorial caps for foreign student admissions. In the spirit of fairness, these caps, weighted by population, will lead to more decreases in provinces with the most unsustainable growth in the international student population.

What the minister said:

“International students are vital to Canada and enrich our communities. As such, we have an obligation to ensure that they have access to the resources they need for an enriching academic experience. In Canada, today, this isn’t always the case…”

“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.”

However, current study permit holders, individuals renewing their study permits, and those pursuing master’s and doctoral degrees will not be affected by these caps.

These temporary measures will be in place for two years, and the number of new study permit applications that will be accepted in 2025 will be re-assessed at the end of this year.

Other changes effected

Master’s graduates and those completing short graduate-level programs in Canada will soon be eligible to apply for a 3-year work permit.

Under current criteria, the length of a post­graduation work permit is based solely on the length of an individual’s study program, limiting the amount of time master’s graduates have to gain work experience and potentially transition to permanent residence.

In the weeks ahead, open work permits will only be available to spouses of international students in master’s and doctoral programs. The spouses of international students in other levels of study, including undergraduate and college programs, will no longer be eligible.