Canada Student Visa: Recent Changes

The Government of Canada, as indicated by Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, would implement a limit on the number of international student visa applications for a duration of two years in order to maintain a steady rate of growth. In 2024, it is anticipated that the cap will lead to around 360,000 research permits being awarded, representing a 35% decline compared to 2023. To ensure justice, specific limits have been set for each province and territory, taking into account their population. This will lead to substantial reductions in provinces where the number of international students has grown unsustainably. Renewals of study permits will remain unaffected. The cap does not apply to individuals who are seeking master’s and doctorate degrees, as well as those in elementary and secondary education. Existing study permit holders will remain unaffected.

Marc Miller stated, “As of September 1st of this year, postgraduate work permits will no longer be available to public-private institution models. Moreover, in the coming weeks, we will be announcing that open work permits will only be allowed and be available to spouses of international students enrolled in master’s and doctoral programs as well as professional programs such as medicine and law. Spouses of international students enrolled in other levels of study including undergraduate and college programs will no longer be eligible. To be clear, the cap will not apply to applicants within Canada looking to extend their studies as it wouldn’t be fair to prevent someone from finishing the program nor will the cap have an effect on study  permit holders currently in Canada. These temporary measures will be in place for 2 years and the number of new study permit applications that will be accepted in 2025 will be re-assessed at the end of this year”.