The Government of Canada has officially decided to implement the decision to limit international student permit applications for the current year to two years.
According to recent reports, the maximum number of approved study permits is expected to decrease by 35% compared to last year, 2023.
Also according to estimates, this does not include the maximum for those pursuing master's and doctoral degrees and primary and secondary education.
Renewal of study permits will not be affected
Reports indicate that the renewal of study permits for international students in Canada will not be affected and there is no need to worry for current study permit holders in Canada.
These new temporary measures are scheduled to be implemented for two years, and the number of new study permit applications, which are scheduled to be accepted in 2025, will also be re-evaluated at the end of this year.
Setting a maximum limit on the number of students per district
There are currently population caps for each province and territory in Canada, which will lead to much greater reductions in provinces with the highest rates of unsustainable increase in the number of international students.
The Government of Canada will continue to work with provinces and territories over the next two years to develop a sustainable path forward for international students.
Changing the eligibility criteria for the post-graduation work permit program
Scheduled to take place from 1 September 2024, international students starting a program of study that is part of the Curriculum Licensing Arrangement will no longer be eligible for a post-graduation work permit.
Work permits open during the next few weeks will also only be available to spouses and international students in master’s and doctoral programs, and spouses of international students at other levels of study, in addition to bachelor’s and college programs, and they will no longer be eligible.