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Canada sets two-year cap on international students
Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Marc Miller announced on January 22 a series of measures to stabilize the influx of international students over the next two years.
The government of Canada has decided to implement an intake cap on international student permit applications. For 2024, the cap is set at approximately 360,000 approved study permits, reflecting a 35% reduction from the previous year.
Here are the details of the cap on student visas:
The Canadian government has chosen to enforce a cap on the number of international student permit applications for the year 2024. The set cap stands at approximately 360,000 approved study permits, marking a 35% decrease compared to the preceding year. The allocation of this cap across provinces and territories follows a fair and weighted system, considering population.
To facilitate the effective implementation of this cap, the government will depend on attestation letters from provinces and territories for every study permit application. These letters will streamline the allocation process, with provinces and territories establishing their issuance procedures by March 31, 2024.
Who is exempt from this cap on student visa?
Study Permit Renewals: Students who are/will be renewing their study permits are exempt from this cap ensuring that those already studying in Canada can seamlessly continue their education without being impacted.
Master’s and Doctoral Degree Pursuers: Individuals engaged in advanced academic pursuits, such as master’s or doctoral degrees, are exempt from the cap. This exemption recognizes the importance of supporting those pursuing higher levels of education in Canada.
Elementary and Secondary Education Students: Students enrolled in elementary or secondary education are also exempt from the cap, reflecting the government’s commitment to maintaining accessibility to primary and secondary education for international students.
Current Study Permit Holders: The cap does not affect those who currently hold a study permit. This exemption ensures stability and continuity for students already on their educational journey in Canada, ensuring they can complete their studies without disruptions.
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What are the changes to Post-Graduation Work Permit Program?
In the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program, changes to eligibility criteria have been announced, effective September 1, 2024. Under the new criteria, international students enrolled in study programs that are part of a curriculum licensing arrangement will no longer be eligible for a post-graduation work permit upon graduation. This move aims to address concerns related to oversight in private colleges operating under such arrangements.
On a positive note, graduates of master’s and other short graduate-level programs will soon benefit from a 3-year work permit. This change is a departure from the previous one that linked the length of the post-graduation work permit solely to the length of the study program. This adjustment allows master’s graduates more time to gain valuable work experience and potentially transition to permanent residence.
Changes to Open Work Permits for spouses of international students:
In the upcoming weeks, there will be a significant shift in the availability of open work permits for spouses of international students. Moving forward, only spouses of students enrolled in master’s and doctoral programs will be eligible for open work permits. Unfortunately, this means that spouses of students at other academic levels, such as undergraduate and college programs, will no longer qualify for these permits.
By focusing on master’s and doctoral degrees, the government aims to provide spouses with more substantial employment options, recognizing the commitment and dedication involved in pursuing advanced degrees.
International students were a strong backbone for immigration in 2023
A recent study by ApplyBoard looked at new info from the Canadian government. Between January and June 2023, Canada gave out over 280,000 new study permits. That’s a significant increase—77% more than the same time in 2022.
During this period, the Canadian government also processed many study permit applications—more than 435,000 in the first half of 2023. That’s a significant increase of 49% compared to the same time last year.
In 2022, Canada had a record number of international students—551,405 from 184 countries. And by the end of 2022, a whopping 807,750 international students had valid Canadian study permits.
If you need any assistance with your student permit or have any questions, you can contact our Immigration Consultant in Brampton at +1 289 298 1000 or Book Free Consultation on our website canozvisas.com
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