Canadian universities have reported a dramatic 45% drop in international student enrolment following the implementation of a new study visa cap.
This policy, introduced in January 2024 by Immigration Minister Marc Miller, aimed to reduce the intake of international students by 35% over two years to address concerns related to housing, healthcare, and other services strained by the growing number of international students.
Gabriel Miller, president of Universities Canada, expressed grave concerns about the situation, stating, "There’s every possibility that it’s going to be even worse than we fear. We’re already in uncharted territory, and this should be a wake-up call for Ottawa to take immediate action."
Initial projections suggest that once universities complete their tallies in October, the decline could be even more severe than anticipated.
The government initially estimated that approximately 364,000 study permits would be approved in 2024, but this figure has since been revised to around 292,000. The reduction is particularly targeted at provinces experiencing the most significant growth in student numbers.
The cap has had a chilling effect on applications, with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada confirming that "early signs" indicate application numbers for study permit applications are below what was projected. The department noted, "Overall, we have seen a decrease in intake and approvals in 2024 compared to the same period in 2023."
Universities Canada vice-president of member services, Julia Scott, highlighted the financial implications for post-secondary institutions, stating, "The changes have been incredibly damaging to universities, and they will have ramifications likely for decades to come. What we are seeing now is Canada's reputation as a premier destination for education taking a hit."
As the busiest enrolment season for study permit processing is August and September, federal immigration officials caution that it is "too early to fully assess the data and analyze any impact of the intake cap." However, the broader issue of how many newcomers Canada welcomes each year is already shaping up to be a political issue this fall.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recently announced stricter rules to reduce the low-wage stream of temporary foreign workers, while Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre emphasized that a Conservative government would "only admit international students if they have a way to pay their bills, a house to live in and a real admission letter to a real educational institution."
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