In a move with far-reaching consequences for international students, Canada has announced a two-year cap on student visas, affecting thousands of Indian students pursuing education in the country. The decision is driven by concerns over housing shortages, healthcare pressures, and the need to maintain the integrity of the education system.
Growing Concerns and Policy Announcement: Canada’s Immigration Minister, Marc Miller, declared the cap on international student admissions, with a plan to approve around 360,000 undergraduate study permits this year. The move comes as a response to the surging numbers of international students, which reached over 800,000 in 2022, raising alarms about the strain on educational resources and infrastructure.
Impact on Indian Students: Indians, constituting the largest group of international students in Canada, are expected to bear a significant impact. More than 41% of permits issued in 2022 went to Indian students, totaling over 300,000 in 2023. The cap, resulting in a 35% reduction in approved study permits, is likely to create challenges for Indian students aspiring to study in Canada.
Addressing Quality and Sustainability: Minister Miller emphasized the need for these measures to ensure the quality of education for international students. The announcement is seen as an effort to prevent “bad actors” from exploiting students and aims to provide a top-tier academic experience. The new policy will be implemented based on population distribution among provinces and territories.
Provincial Allocation and Program Exclusions: Provinces and territories will now be allocated a portion of the total permits, with more significant decreases expected where the international student population growth has been deemed unsustainable. The cap applies specifically to students in diploma or undergraduate programs and excludes those applying for study permit renewals.
Challenges in the Context of Housing Crisis: Canada is currently grappling with a housing crisis, and Minister Miller highlighted the challenge of the sheer volume of students entering the country. The move is a response to a situation that has “gotten out of control” and needs to be significantly reduced over a short period.
Additional Measures and Policy Adjustments: As part of the broader changes, work permits for students graduating from colleges operating under public-private partnerships will no longer be granted starting September. This affects institutions, particularly in Ontario, that have been accused of taking advantage of international students with under-resourced campuses and high tuition fees.
Government’s Stance and Future Implications: The government’s stance is clarified as not being against individual international students but aiming to ensure the quality of education for future students. The announcement follows mounting pressure on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government to address concerns of colleges exploiting foreign students.
