International students play a crucial role in improving Canada's social, cultural and economic landscape.
Canada has announced a substantial reduction in the issuance of international student permits, aiming to address the housing crisis and resource distribution challenges.
According to the Canadian government's press release, as the number of international students reaches approximately 360,000, the government seeks to stabilize overall growth while preserving the integrity of the education system and essential services.
International students play a crucial role in improving Canada's social, cultural and economic landscape. However, concerns have been raised as universities aggressively increase admissions to increase revenue, leading to students entering the country without adequate resources. This influx has strained housing, healthcare and other services.
To address these issues, March Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, revealed the implementation of a two-year limit on international student permit applications.
The cap is expected to result in a 35% reduction, issuing around 360,000 permits in 2024. Provinces with unsustainable increases in the foreign student population will see larger reductions under an equity-driven population cap.
In particular, the limit excludes renewals of study permits and does not affect those pursuing master's and doctoral degrees, nor primary and secondary education students.
Current research permit holders are not affected. The government plans to reassess the number of new study permit applications approved in 2025 after the two-year temporary measure concludes, emphasizing the need for sustainable population growth and safeguarding international students from potential challenges.
