In a recent press conference, Canada's Minister of Immigration, Marc Miller, announced a set of measures aimed at enhancing the quality of academic experiences for international students in the country. Acknowledging the significant contributions of international students to Canada's communities, Minister Miller emphasized the need to protect these students from unscrupulous practices by certain private institutions.
Temporary Cap on New International Student Permits
The key highlight of the new measures is the introduction of a temporary two-year cap on new international student permits. This move is part of a broader strategy to improve program integrity and ensure a sustainable level of temporary residence in Canada. For the year 2024, a national application intake cap of approximately 364,000 approved study permits has been set, representing a 35% decrease from 2023.
To ensure fairness, the cap allocation will be based on provincial populations, with some provinces experiencing more significant reductions. Minister Miller emphasized ongoing collaboration with provinces and territories, particularly citing productive conversations with British Columbia and Ontario. Notably, the cap will not apply to students at the graduate level, including Masters and Doctoral students. Exemptions also extend to study permit applications at the elementary and secondary school levels.
Changes to Post-Graduate Work Permits
Effective September 1st of the current year, post-graduate work permits will no longer be available to public-private institution models. This measure aims to address concerns related to the exploitation of international students by certain institutions lacking the necessary resources and support systems.
Restrictions on Open Work Permits
In the coming weeks, the government will announce restrictions on open work permits, limiting their availability to spouses of international students enrolled in Masters, Doctoral, and professional programs such as Medicine and Law. Spouses of international students enrolled in other levels of study, including undergraduate and college programs, will no longer be eligible.
Exclusions and Future Reassessment
Minister Miller clarified that the cap will not apply to applicants within Canada seeking to extend their studies, ensuring fairness for those already pursuing academic programs. These temporary measures will be in place for two years, with a reassessment of the number of new study permit applications accepted in 2025 at the end of this period.
The announced measures reflect Canada's commitment to maintaining the quality of education for international students and protecting them from exploitation. Minister Miller emphasized that these actions are not directed against individual international students but are crucial to ensuring that future students receive the promised educational quality and support in Canada. By addressing concerns related to under-resourced institutions and excessive tuition fees, Canada aims to uphold its reputation as a destination for world-class education.