In a move to address the rapid surge in the number of international students and its associated challenges, the Government of Canada, led by the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, has announced significant measures to stabilise growth and enhance the integrity of the immigration system. The key focus is on balancing the benefits of international student contributions with the need to manage pressures on housing, healthcare, and other essential services.
Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship 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.”
To counter the challenges posed by a surge in international students, the government has decided to set an intake cap on international student permit applications for a two-year period. For 2024, the cap is set at approximately 360,000 approved study permits, representing a 35 per cent decrease from 2023. Individual provincial and territorial caps, weighted by population, have been established to ensure fairness, with more substantial reductions in provinces facing unsustainable growth.
Implementation and Impact
To implement the cap, provinces and territories will be allocated a portion, which they will distribute among their designated learning institutions. Starting January 22, 2024, every study permit application submitted to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will require an attestation letter from the respective province or territory. Study permit renewals and certain categories, including master’s and doctoral degrees and elementary and secondary education, are exempt from the cap.
Post-Graduation Work Permit Program Changes
To align the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program with these measures, eligibility criteria will change
- 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 post-graduation 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.
- 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 post-graduation 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.
Spousal Work Permit Changes
In the coming weeks, open work permits will only be available to spouses of international students in master’s and doctoral programs. Spouses of students in other levels of study, including undergraduate and college programs, will no longer be eligible.
Future Assessments
These temporary measures will be re-evaluated at the end of the two-year period, with a continued focus on collaboration between the federal government, provinces, territories, and education stakeholders. The goal is to develop a sustainable path forward for international students, finalise a recognised institution framework, and ensure post-secondary institutions can meet housing demands.
