Canada recognizes the valuable contribution of international students to its social, cultural, and economic landscape. However, recent challenges to the integrity of the international student system have prompted the government to take action. Some institutions, driven by financial motives, have significantly increased student intakes without adequate support structures. This surge in international student numbers puts strain on housing, healthcare, and other essential services.
To address this, the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced a two-year intake cap on international student permit applications. In 2024, this cap aims to approve approximately 360,000 study permits, marking a 35% decrease from 2023. Provincial and territorial caps, influenced by population weight, have been established for fairness, resulting in more substantial reductions in areas experiencing unsustainable growth. Study permit renewals, master’s and doctoral degree pursuits, and elementary and secondary education are exempt from the cap, ensuring existing permit holders are unaffected.
To implement the cap, starting January 22, 2024, each study permit application will require an attestation letter from a province or territory. Provinces and territories are expected to establish the attestation letter issuance process by March 31, 2024. These measures will be reviewed at the end of two years, and the government will collaborate with stakeholders to develop a sustainable framework for international student levels, including finalizing a recognized institution framework.
In order to better align the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program, we are changing the eligibility criteria:
1. Starting September 1, 2024, international students who begin a study program that is part of a curriculum licensing arrangement will no longer be eligible for a postÂgraduation work permit upon graduation. Under curriculum licensing agreements, students physically attend a private college that has been licensed to deliver the curriculum of an associated public college. These programs have seen significant growth in attracting international students in recent years, though they have less oversight than public colleges and they act as a loophole with regards to post-graduation work permit eligibility.
2.Graduates of master’s and other short graduate-level programs will soon be eligible to apply for a 3-year work permit. Under current criteria, the length of a postÂgraduation work permit is based solely on the length of an individual’s study program, hindering master’s graduates by limiting the amount of time they have to gain work experience and potentially transition to permanent residence.1
Open work permits will be restricted to spouses of international students in master’s and doctoral programs, emphasizing support for genuine students and stabilizing overall student numbers in Canada. These measures aim to enhance the study experience for genuine students while addressing broader societal challenges.
Source: IRCC
