Starting in 2024, Canada has imposed a temporary two-year limit on the number of new study permits issued said Marc Miller, Canada’s Immigration Minister, stating that only 364,000 study permits will be approved for 2024.
Understanding the New Cap: Crunching the Numbers
Total Study Permit Target 2024: 485,000
Extensions and Renewals: Approximately 97,000 (20% of international students apply for extensions annually)
Buffer: 24,000 permits to account for potential fluctuations
New Study Permits: 364,000 permits allocated for new international students
New Study Visa Rules by IRCC: The Student Permit Hunger Games
Canada has announced that it expects to receive 606,000 study permit applications in 2024. With a nationwide approval rate of 60%, this means only 364,000 of these applications will be approved.
The number of study permits that expire in 2024 will determine the real study permit cap, meaning that the total number of new international students admitted to Canada will be approximately equal to the total number of students whose permits expire in that same year.
Apart from the study visa cap the IRCC has also revised the postgraduate work permit eligibility criteria and the GIC requirement of international students.
In another surprising update, the Canadian education system has changed the eligibility criteria for postgraduate work permits. Students at certain private colleges will soon be ineligible for work permits. Originally set to start on September 1, 2024, these changes are in effect from May 15, 2024. However, spouses of students enrolled in only master’s, doctoral, or professional degree programs will be eligible for open work permits.
Not only this, starting January 1, 2024, the Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) requirement for international students applying for a Canadian study permit has doubled. Students now need to show they have access to at least CAD 20,635, up from CAD 10,000, to cover their living expenses, excluding tuition fees.
The IRCC’s rationale for these changes is straightforward. The rising number of international students has put significant pressure on Canada’s infrastructure, including housing and healthcare. There have also been concerns about the quality of education at some institutions, particularly private colleges. These changes aim to slow the growth rate of international student admissions, allowing for improvements in infrastructure and ensuring educational offerings remain high-quality.
Short-Term Impacts of Canada’s Study Permit: Plot Twist
Increased Competition: Needless to say this cap on study permits will immediately tighten competition, especially in popular provinces like Ontario and British Columbia. Universities may raise admission standards, making it harder to secure a spot.
Ontario, home to the largest share of international students, will see a 55% reduction in study permit approvals. If you aim for a university in Ontario, brace yourself for stiffer competition.
British Columbia is taking a different approach by pausing new accreditations for institutions enrolling international students and increasing inspections to ensure education quality. This means fewer choices but a guarantee of high-quality education.
Nova Scotia is capping tuition hikes and boosting university funding to enhance student support and housing, with 12,900 permits allocated. This ensures stability and support for international students in the province.
Administrative Bottlenecks: Students already in the application process might experience delays or rejections, leading to a potential rush toward other countries.
Disqualification of Private College Graduates: Students enrolled or considering enrollment in certain private colleges will need more certainty and may need to reassess their plans.
Restriction on Spouse Work Permits: The restriction on spouse work permits will immediately affect those who plan to move with their families, leading to a reevaluation of their study abroad plans.
Increased Financial Strain: The higher GIC requirement will impose an immediate financial strain, potentially reducing the number of applications from middle-income families.
Long-Term Impacts: The Canadian Education Journey
Diversification of Smaller Provinces: In the long run, students might start considering less popular provinces like Alberta, Québec, Saskatchewan, Newfoundland, Labrador, and Manitoba, which are increasing their capacity for international students. This shift might also result in the opening of more quality institutes in these provinces.
Improvement in Education Quality: The focus on maintaining high educational standards and increased inspections of institutions will likely result in improved teaching quality over time. Private colleges that lose eligibility for postgraduate work permits may experience a decline in enrollment, leading to financial difficulties and even closures.
Re-evaluation of Policies: The changes to spouse work permits might push Canada to reassess and possibly revise its policies to attract international students who plan to move with their families, balancing the need for skilled students with family support.
Improved Infrastructure: With fewer international students, there will be reduced pressure on housing and healthcare systems, allowing for improvements and better support for current and future students. The slower growth rate of international student admissions will help Canada build sustainable infrastructure and enhance the overall student experience.
Will Diplomatic Drama Dim Indian Students’ Dreams of Studying in Canada?
Diplomatic disputes between Canada and India have already begun to affect the number of study permit applications from Indian students, a trend likely to continue and potentially worsen. The expulsion of Canadian diplomats responsible for processing these permits from India has resulted in significant delays and a backlog of applications. The inability to process permits efficiently has not only decreased the number of permits issued but also increased uncertainty and anxiety among prospective students.
As these disputes persist, the trust and appeal of Canada as a favorable study destination might diminish among Indian students and their families. This erosion of confidence, coupled with the heightened financial and competitive pressures from the new study permit policies, could lead to a notable reduction in applications from India. Consequently, students might seek alternative countries with more stable diplomatic relations and fewer administrative hurdles, further impacting Canada’s intake of international students from one of its largest source markets.