Canada’s immigration minister has warned that the federal government will do more to limit the number of international students if post-secondary institutions do not act.
Marc Miller said recent moves to introduce caps on the numbers of international students has strengthened the Study Permit system.
He called on colleges and universities to get the message and be responsible with their cohort of students from abroad.
“Post-secondary institutions have a critical responsibility when recruiting students abroad, as well as supporting them here,” he wrote on X.
“We’ve taken some important steps to strengthen the international student visa system and will not hesitate to do more if need be.”
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Miller imposed a cap of 606,250 study permit applications for the coming year for new international students earlier this year in an attempt to reduce the number of temporary residents in the country as Canada faces criticism over a lack of affordable housing.
Each province has been allocated a portion of the cap based on their population and other factors. To control the cap, they must issue provincial attestation letters to each candidates welcomed.
Figures show Canada issued 683,235 Study Permit last year, up from 548,580 in 2022. In the last year prior to the pandemic, 2019, it issued 400,590 permits.
The Globe and Mail recently reported an anticipated decline of 35 percent in study permit applications compared to the previous year, attributing it to a newly imposed cap. However, the projected decrease is now expected to be even steeper, approaching 40 percent.
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Certain categories of international students are exempt from this cap on applications, as outlined in official instructions. These exemptions encompass individuals already holding study permits who are seeking renewal, as well as family members of temporary residents with existing work or study permits. Additionally, exemptions extend to:
- Members of armed forces under the Visiting Forces Act, including designated civilian components.
- Officers of foreign governments sent to fulfill duties with federal or provincial agencies under exchange agreements.
- Participants in sports activities or events in Canada, whether as individual participants or as part of foreign-based or Canadian amateur teams.
- Employees of foreign news companies reporting on Canadian events.
- Individuals tasked with aiding congregations or groups in spiritual endeavors, focusing on preaching doctrine, facilitating congregation gatherings, or providing spiritual counseling.
Colleges and universities across Canada have voiced apprehension regarding the study permit application cap, expressing concerns that it sends an unfavorable message to prospective international students.
Larissa Bezo, President and CEO of the Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE), remarked during a webinar organized by The PIE and Student VIP that the cap on study permits does not align with the approach her organization would have preferred to address housing issues. The CBIE had previously issued a statement in January, expressing apprehension that the cap might result in unintended consequences detrimental to the benefits of international education in communities across the country.
The CBIE emphasized on its website that this swift, one-size-fits-all solution could potentially undermine the advantages of international education and erode the robust global reputation of Canadian education that has been painstakingly cultivated over the years.
