The Canadian government has made an announcement signifying a 35% decrease in the issuance of study permits to newcomers, which is a significant drop from 2023 figures. This decision will impact various stakeholders, particularly colleges operating under curriculum licensing agreements with public institutions, as graduates from these programs will be ineligible for the post-graduate work program starting September 2024. Each province and territory will receive a cap based on population, with urban metropolitan areas, notably the Greater Toronto Area, expected to bear the brunt of the reduction.

The international student population in Canada has experienced substantial growth in recent years, with over 800,000 foreign students in 2022, representing nearly a third increase from the previous year. The temporary cap aims to revert the numbers back to 2022 levels and will initially be in effect for two years, excluding students enrolled in master’s and PhD programs. Current study permit holders will remain unaffected by the changes.

Speaking at a press conference, Immigration Minister Marc Miller expressed concern over private institutions exploiting international students by operating under-resourced campuses, lacking student support, and charging high tuition fees while significantly increasing international student intake. Ontario is anticipated to be the most affected province, with student numbers projected to decline by up to 50%.

The government plans to reassess the acceptance of study permit applications in 2025 after collaborating with provinces and institutions to devise a sustainable approach for international students.

Changes to the post-graduation work permit program were also announced, including the exclusion of students studying at public-private colleges from the visa. Master’s graduates will now be eligible to apply for a three-year work permit extension.