Canada has officially revealed its decision to implement a temporary two-year cap on the issuance of new study permits to international students entering the country.
Marc Miller, the Minister for Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship of Canada (IRCC), announced this measure on Monday, marking a significant step in the government’s efforts to enhance integrity controls within the student visa program.
The temporary cap for the year 2024 aims to limit approved study permits to approximately 360,000, reflecting a 35% decrease from the figures recorded in 2023.
This move is part of a broader strategy to ensure the quality of education for incoming international students and to address concerns related to under-resourced campuses, lack of student support, and high tuition fees charged by some private institutions.
Minister Marc Miller emphasized, “It would be a disservice to welcome international students to Canada knowing that not all of them are getting the resources they need to succeed.”
He stated that allowing certain institutions to take advantage of international students is unacceptable.
The government is implementing three key measures, with the temporary two-year cap being a central component. The cap is expected to result in a 35% reduction in approved study permits for 2024.
The allocation of cap space will be done by province based on population, leading to varying reductions across provinces. However, the cap will not apply to students in graduate-level programs, and study permit applications for elementary and secondary school levels will be exempt.
Effective immediately, study permit applicants must provide a provincial attestation with their application. The provinces and territories are expected to establish a process for issuing attestation letters to students by March 31, 2024.
Minister Miller clarified that the cap won’t affect applicants within Canada looking to extend their studies, nor will it impact current study permit holders in Canada. The two-year cap will be reassessed at the end of 2024, with a focus on developing a sustainable path forward for international students.
Additionally, as of September 1, 2023, post-graduate work permits will no longer be available for students enrolled in programs delivered via public-private partnerships. The government also plans to limit open work permits for spouses to those enrolled in master’s and doctoral programs and professional programs like medicine and law.
The government aims to expand post-study work rights for graduate students, making graduates of master’s and other short graduate-level programs eligible for a three-year work permit. This move is intended to provide more time for gaining work experience and transitioning to permanent residence for master’s graduates.