Content Curator
Due to the increasing pressure on housing, healthcare, and the education system, Canada's Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (IRCC) department has set a temporary limit on international study visas for a period of two years. This change in policy is a response to the growing number of international students and worries about the long-term sustainability of this growth. Immigration Minister March Miller has announced that in 2024, the government plans to limit the number of approved student visas to 360,000. This represents a substantial decrease of 35% compared to the number of Canada student visas given out in 2023.
Furthermore, the IRCC has created a strategic plan to implement caps on study permits for each province and territory, aligning with their respective populations. This move is aimed at addressing the growth of the international student population in provinces and cities in Canada where it has become a matter of concern. However, existing study permit holders and those seeking renewals will remain unaffected by these new rules and changes. Additionally, students wishing to pursue PhD or Masters in Canada are also exempt from this policy change.
Impact on Indian Students
About 40% of all international students in Canada come from India, making it a top choice for Indian students studying abroad. The latest Indian Students Mobility Report reveals that the number of Indian students in Canada has almost doubled over the past five years. As of 2023, there are around 330,000 new immigrants and students from India living in Canada.
The revised policy is expected to affect those aspiring to pursue education in the country. For Indian students, this could redefine the landscape of opportunities and the overall educational experience of studying in Canada. Nevertheless, Indian students have various alternative choices, with Australia, New Zealand, the UK, and the USA being among the well-established and popular study abroad destinations.
- Focusing specifically on diploma and undergraduate programs in Canada, the cap aims to guarantee that Indian students studying in Canada receive the promised high-quality education.
- By discontinuing work permits for specific institutions, especially in Ontario, the government aims to protect Indian students from unfair and exploitative practices.
- Some problems such as under-resourced campuses, lack of support, and high fees in Canadian universities align with the experiences of many Indian students. The new policy aims to address these issues, ensuring that Indian students get the education they deserve.
Changes to Post Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)
Alongside the cap on international student visas, IRCC announced modifications to the eligibility criteria for the PGWP Canada. Starting September 2024, international students in study programs under curriculum licensing arrangements will no longer qualify for the PGWP. However, graduates from masters programs and other short graduate-level programs will now be eligible for a 3-year work permit in Canada.
In the coming weeks, IRCC will release more details on open work permits for the spouses of international students. These open work permits will specifically be available to spouses of international students in master’s and doctoral programs, excluding those in other levels of study.
Additionally, effective January 22, 2024, all study permit applications submitted to IRCC will require an attestation letter from the relevant province or territory (PT). PTs are expected to establish the process for issuing these letters by March 31, 2024. IRCC plans to review and reassess the cap again in 2025 for students wishing to study in Canada.
Comments