The move is expected to translate into 3,60,000 approved study permits this year, a 35% decrease as compared to 2023.
Canada on Monday announced that it will limit the intake of international students for the next two years.
The cap is expected to translate into 3,60,000 approved study permits this year, a 35% decrease as compared to 2023.
“In recent years, the integrity of the international student system has been threatened,” read a statement by the Canadian immigration department. “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. Rapid increases in the number of international students arriving in Canada also puts pressure on housing, healthcare and other services.”
According to the statement, the limit in intake is aimed towards stabilising the growth of the number of international students in Canada and protecting them from “bad actors”.
To better implement the plan, the immigration department said that it would allocate a portion of the cap to each province and territory, who will then distribute it among their designated universities.
The study permit applications would now need to include an attestation letter from a Canadian province or territory, which would confirm their capacity to accommodate the student.
