What to know about the Canadian government’s latest limit on international students

'Over the next three years ... we expect these changes to yield approximately 300,000 fewer permits,' says immigration minister Marc Miller

Published Sep 19, 2024  •  3 minute read

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Minister Marc Miller rises during Question Period, Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024. Photo by Patrick Doyle/The Canadian Press

The government will be reducing the number of international students by 10 per cent for next year, Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Marc Miller announced.

“The international student cap is here to stay,” Miller said to reporters at a press conference on Wednesday. “Over the next three years … we expect these changes to yield approximately 300,000 fewer permits.”

The change comes as part of a plan to reduce temporary resident volumes to five per cent.

“To achieve this goal, the federal government is taking action to manage the increase of temporary residents and hold employers misusing the system accountable,” according to a news release from the department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship.

“We are reforming the International Student Program, tightening eligibility requirements for temporary foreign workers, enforcing employer compliance more strictly, and making labour market impact assessments more rigorous to mitigate fraud.”

As well as reducing the student cap for 2025 and 2026, Miller wrote on X that the government will be “aligning post graduate work permits (PGWP) with labour market needs” and adding language requirements.

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What is the reason behind the cap on international students intake?

In a January news release, Miller said that although international students “enrich our communities,” the system has been “threatened.”

“Some institutions have significantly increased their intakes to drive revenues, and more students have been arriving in Canada without the proper supports they need to succeed,” adding that the rapid increase of international students puts pressure on housing, health care and other services.

As a result, the Canadian government decided to put a cap on its international student intake. In April, an update provided by the federal government revealed the target for approved study permits was 485,000 for 2024.

The new announcement this week means that for 2025, the number of study permits issued will be reduced to 437,000. It will remain the same for 2026.

How is the number of study permits decided?

The cap for international students is based on a zero net-growth model, a government news release in February explained.

“This means that the number of international students coming to Canada … should be the same as the number of students whose permits expire,” according to the release, with roughly 20 per cent of students apply for an extension and remain in the country.

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There are some exemptions from the cap, like primary and secondary school students and master’s or doctoral degree students, it said.

Who can apply for an international student permit?

According to the federal government’s website, anyone who is already enrolled at a Designated Learning Institution can apply as an international student. The student must prove they have enough money to pay tuition fees and living expenses for themselves and any family members who accompany them.

They must also be able to pay to return home from Canada. The student must obey the law and have no criminal record. They may be required to submit a police certificate. They must be in good health and get a medical exam if requested.

The student must also prove that they will leave Canada when their study permit expires.

There is a notice on the application page online, saying that there have been changes to temporary residence programs, per this week’s announcement.

“We are taking action to strengthen our temporary residence programs and roll out a more comprehensive immigration plan to meet the demands of today’s changing landscape,” said Miller.

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