The Canadian government recognizes the valuable contribution of international students to the country’s social, cultural, and economic fabric. However, recent challenges, such as institutions increasing student intakes for financial reasons and students arriving without sufficient support, threaten the integrity of the system.
To address these issues, the Government of Canada, under the leadership of Minister Marc Miller, has implementd 3 major measures to stabilize the number of international students in the country.
1. Cap on International Students
As part of these measures, a cap on international student permit applications will be in effect for two years, starting in 2024. The cap is set at approximately 360,000 approved study permits, which is 35% less from the previous year 2023.
Provinces and territories will have individual caps based on population, aiming for more significant reductions in regions experiencing unsustainable growth.
That means, depending on the province population, and a number of applications allocated to that particular province study permit approvals will be determined.
This initiative ensures fairness and will not affect study permit renewals, master’s and doctoral candidates, or those in elementary and secondary education. The cap will be allocated among provinces and territories, and an attestation letter from them will be required for all study permit applications submitted after January 22, 2024.
2. Post-Graduation Work Permit Changes
To align the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program, eligibility criteria are being modified. Starting September 1, 2024, international students in curriculum licensing arrangement programs won’t be eligible for post-graduation work permits.
That means, if you are graduating from a Private-Public institute that is a private college aligned with public institute won’t be eligible for PGWP. You must complete your studies Public institute to be eligible for PGWP.
This addresses concerns about oversight in private colleges compared to public colleges. Additionally, graduates of master’s and other short graduate-level programs will now be eligible for a 3-year work permit, providing more time to gain work experience and potentially transition to permanent residence.
3. Spousal Open Work Permit Adjustments
Changes are also being made to spousal open work permits. From now on, Spousal open work permits will only be available to spouses of international students enrolled in master’s and doctoral programs. Spouses of students in other levels of study, including undergraduate and college programs, will no longer be eligible for open work permits.
These measures, in conjunction with recent reforms to the International Student Program, aim to ensure genuine students receive adequate support for a rewarding study experience in Canada. Simultaneously, the initiatives seek to stabilize the overall number of students arriving, addressing pressures on housing, healthcare, and other services in the country.
Conclusion
Also in upcoming weeks new clear pathways to permanent residence for skilled students and improve the integration of international students into the workforce will be announced. Recent enhancements to the International Student Program include:
- Cost-of-Living Update (Since January 1, 2024): Adjusted to accurately reflect living expenses, preventing vulnerability and exploitation.
- Enhanced Acceptance Letter Verification (Since December 1, 2023): Mandated direct confirmation by post-secondary institutions to prevent fraud in study permit applications.
- Targeted Pilots for Inclusivity (Planned for 2024): Initiating pilots to support underrepresented international student cohorts in accessing education in Canada.
In summary, these measures reinforce are taken to student well-being, fraud prevention, and creating an inclusive educational environment within the International Student Program in Canada.
