Canada Announces New Cap on International Students in 2024 and 2025
The Canadian government has announced a new intake cap on international student visa applications over the next two years.
In an effort to address the integrity of the international student system in Canada and combat housing market concerns, Immigration Minister Marc Miller has initiated the implementation of new measures. These measures will strive to stabilize the international student population in Canada to promote more sustainable population growth.
As a result of the new cap, study permit approvals are expected to decrease by 35% from 2023, resulting in approximately 360,000 approved study permits in 2024. The caps will be weighted by population in each province and territory to ensure fairness. In Ontario, the cap is expected to result in a reduction of 50%.
❗️Study Permit renewals will not be impacted.
❗️Master's and Doctoral degree candidates, as well as elementary and secondary education are not included in the cap.
❗️Individuals currently holding a study permit will not be affected.
The changes highlighted in this new announcement include:
The new changes aim to ensure international students in Canada receive a quality education and the support and resources they require. These measures will be in place for the next two years, and the quantity of new study permit applications that will be accepted in 2025 will be re-evaluated at the end of 2024.
In an effort to address the integrity of the international student system in Canada and combat housing market concerns, Immigration Minister Marc Miller has initiated the implementation of new measures. These measures will strive to stabilize the international student population in Canada to promote more sustainable population growth.
As a result of the new cap, study permit approvals are expected to decrease by 35% from 2023, resulting in approximately 360,000 approved study permits in 2024. The caps will be weighted by population in each province and territory to ensure fairness. In Ontario, the cap is expected to result in a reduction of 50%.
❗️Study Permit renewals will not be impacted.
❗️Master's and Doctoral degree candidates, as well as elementary and secondary education are not included in the cap.
❗️Individuals currently holding a study permit will not be affected.
The changes highlighted in this new announcement include:
- Effective immediately, applicants will have to provide a Provincial Attestation with their Study Permit application.
- As of September 1, 2024, international students who begin a study program that is part of a curriculum licensing arrangement will not be eligible for a post graduation work permit.
- Graduates of master's and other short graduate-level programs will become eligible to apply for a 3-year work permit.
- Open work permits will only be available to spouses of international students in master's and doctoral programs and professional programs such as Medicine and Law. Spouses of international students enrolled in other levels, such as undergraduate or college programs, will not be eligible for open work permits.
The new changes aim to ensure international students in Canada receive a quality education and the support and resources they require. These measures will be in place for the next two years, and the quantity of new study permit applications that will be accepted in 2025 will be re-evaluated at the end of 2024.
We understand these changes may affect your immigration plans. If your plans have been impacted and you require support, please contact us to book a consultation!
