Canada is set to decrease the issuance of new international student permits by 35 percent in the next year, part of a temporary two-year cap on foreign enrollment, as revealed by Immigration Minister Marc Miller on Monday. This measure aims to address institutions exploiting international students with excessively high tuition fees while simultaneously accepting more students. Miller assures that the cap, expected to result in 364,000 permits in 2024, will maintain a sustainable level of temporary residence and will be reassessed for 2025. Provinces will be responsible for distributing the cap based on population, potentially leading to varying reductions across regions. Although there is an overall 35 percent reduction, some provinces, such as Ontario, may experience reductions exceeding 50 percent. The cap will remain in effect for two years, and provinces will determine its distribution among schools, with exemptions for graduate and secondary level students.
Miller emphasizes the intention is not to penalize international students but to ensure a high-quality educational experience. He criticizes private institutions for exploiting students and suggests that some may need to be shut down. Concerns have been raised about the potential impact on universities, with questions about the rollout details of the cap. Additionally, post-graduate work permits will no longer be available for public-private institution models starting September 1, 2024, drawing criticism from various organizations. Changes to work permits for spouses of international students were also announced, with restrictions on eligibility for certain study levels. Further details on open work permits for spouses will be disclosed in the coming weeks. These measures, while addressing concerns about housing and educational quality, have sparked criticism and concerns about their potential impact on Canada’s reputation as a destination for international students and the overall education sector.
