IRCC has imposed a temporary cap on study visas for international students in 2024. The limit is set at around 360,000 permits, marking a 35% decrease from 2023. Region-specific caps, based on population, will also be implemented to manage the surge in provinces with the highest influx of international students.
Starting January 22, 2024, new study permit applications to IRCC require an attestation letter from the province or territory. This doesn’t affect existing permit holders, renewals, or those pursuing master’s and doctoral degrees. Provinces/Territories should set up the letter issuance process by March 31, 2024. The cap will be reconsidered in 2025.
Starting September 2024, IRCC updates PGWP eligibility, excluding international students in certain licensed programs. Concerns about oversight led to this change. Notably, master’s program grads remain eligible for a 3-year work permit.
The existing criteria for the PGWP, linked to the duration of the study program, particularly disadvantages master’s students by limiting their eligibility for Canadian work experience and eventual transition to permanent residency. The department is set to release further details on open work permits for spouses of international students in the coming weeks, clarifying that these permits will only be available to spouses of those in master’s and doctoral programs.
These measures were anticipated, with Immigration Minister Marc Miller publicly discussing the possibility since summer 2023. Minister Miller emphasized the need for designated learning institutions to provide adequate student support. The move comes in response to concerns about the integrity of the system, with some institutions allegedly admitting students for financial gain without ensuring a corresponding quality of education and support services.
IRCC’s latest release underscores the strain on infrastructure and services caused by a rapid increase in international student numbers. Acknowledging the challenges, the minister expressed the necessity of bringing the system under control. The release also cites IRCC’s efforts to enhance oversight through a Trusted Framework Agreement with designated learning institutions, expected to be implemented for the 2024 academic season. This agreement aims to expedite processing for study permits for eligible institutions.
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