The Canadian government has placed an embargo on providing post-graduate work permits to overseas students engaged in programs subject to curriculum licensing arrangements.
It also stated that the number of new international student visas will be reduced by 35% next year as part of a temporary two-year limit on foreign enrollment.
Only 364,000 permits granted in 2024
This move is in reaction to an influx of 551,000 foreign students in 2022, including 41 percent, or 226,000, from India. Some jurisdictions, such as Ontario, may experience greater losses, possibly surpassing 50%.
It is worth noting that Mark Miller, the Canadian Minister of Immigration, stated that 560,000 student visas were given last year.
The two-year cap will stay in effect, with a re-evaluation of permit issuing for 2025 expected by the end of the year.
How to distribute permits between universities and colleges
The provinces and territories will also be free to determine how to distribute permits among institutions and colleges within their domains. However, Miller stated that the decline will exceed 50% in some locations.
The Federal Government will also require overseas students asking for a permit to provide a letter of attestation from a province or territory.
Existing study permit holders will not be affected by the changes
These changes will not effect current study permit holders or permission renewals. Furthermore, the restriction does not apply to persons seeking master's and doctorate degrees, as well as basic and secondary education.
The limitations are population-based, resulting in bigger reductions in areas where the number of international students has grown at an unsustainable rate. This development is in reaction to Canada's persistent housing issue and the growing burden on the federal government as non-permanent residents join the nation.
Stop granting post-graduation work permits to international students
International students enrolling in programs covered under curriculum licensing arrangements will no longer be eligible for post-graduation work permits beginning in September.
The Canadian government feels that private programs have less monitoring than public universities and might be used as a loophole for post-graduation work permit eligibility. Masters graduates will now be eligible for three-year work visas.
