Canada Caps Student Visas, Tweaks Work Permits

January 24, 2024

In a major policy shift, Canada will cap the number of study permits for new international students to 360,000 for the 2024-25 academic year beginning September 1st. This 35% reduction from 2023 student visa levels intends to ensure sustainable intake volumes going forward. Permits will be rationed among provinces to allocate to educational institutions under their jurisdiction based on regional absorption capacities.

Assessing annually

The student visa numbers for 2025 will be set next year depending on 2024’s experience. So the cap isn’t permanent, but aims to enable evidence-based yearly calibrating of student inflows. Applicable only for fresh applicants, existing international students can continue unimpacted.

Post-study work permits tightened

From September, Canada will stop issuing post-graduation work permits to students enrolled under public-private programs lacking stringent quality oversight. Moreover, student spouses will get open work rights only if the principal applicant pursues masters or doctoral programs. This intends filtering disreputable institutions and guarding labor markets.

Addressing system stresses

Canada’s Immigration Minister has explained these moves as necessary for keeping international student growth manageable for communities facing resource constraints and safeguarding their well-being. Reports of some students enduring poor living conditions and predatory environments have amplified concerns.

Indians set to be hit

As India sends the highest number of students to Canada annually, the visa quota will significantly impact Indian applicants. Canada is already a top destination for Indian students owing to attractive post-study work opportunities, which now stand partially curtailed.

Surge in student populace

Favorable policies had led to Canada’s international student numbers rising steeply from just 326,000 in 2014 to over 1 million by end-2023. Such a rapid increase within a decade has possibly outstripped the country’s absorptive capacities. The latest changes intend to press pause and enable course correction.

Beyond students

Apart from student permits, Canada has been tightening rules for temporary foreign workers too. Last month it doubled the mandatory funds requirement for new study permit applicants to demonstrate financial security. The measures aim to enhance integrity of Canada’s temporary migration policies to align with domestic labor market realities.

Managing priorities

While seeking to uphold humanitarian commitments, Canada feels the need for evidencing controlled immigration flows. Curbing expedited pathways for student settlement while still attracting top global talent reflects the tricky balancing act its policymakers are attempting.

Consultations forthcoming

The newly elected government in Canada has emphasized it will seek inputs from immigrant advocacy groups, educational bodies and provincial administrations before finalizing its 2025 student visa approach. Stakeholder consultations can help improve the visa allocation criteria and availability projections.

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