Canada has issued 216,620 study permits to international students in the first five months of 2024, according to newly released figures from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). This marks a significant increase of 8% compared to the same period in 2023, where 200,205 permits were granted.
INCREASE IN STUDY PERMITS FOR KEY COUNTRIES
A substantial portion of these permits was awarded to students from India and China. Indian students received 91,510 permits, while Chinese students were granted 20,965 permits. This represents a notable increase from the previous year, where 85,805 permits were issued to Indian students and 15,565 to Chinese students.
Other countries also saw significant increases in the number of study permits granted. Nigerian students received 12,450 permits, up from 8,150 in the same period in 2023. The Philippines saw an increase from 9,300 permits to 10,140 permits.
POLICY CHANGES AND FUTURE PROJECTIONS
In response to the growing number of international students, Canada’s Immigration Minister Marc Miller announced a temporary cap on international student numbers earlier this year. This cap aims to reduce enrollment by 35% to manage the influx more sustainably and protect students from potential exploitation.
The IRCC expects to receive 606,000 study permit applications in 2024 and plans to approve approximately 360,000 of these applications, reflecting the new cap. This reduction in approvals aims to manage the growth in international student numbers and ensure adequate support and resources for students.
FINANCIAL AND WORK ELIGIBILITY ADJUSTMENTS
As part of the new measures, the financial requirements for study permit applicants have been doubled to $20,635, addressing the increased cost of living in Canada. This change is designed to ensure that international students have sufficient funds to support themselves during their studies.
Additionally, starting in September, international students will be permitted to work off-campus for up to 24 hours per week during academic sessions and unlimited hours during breaks. This policy adjustment aims to provide students with more opportunities to support themselves financially while studying in Canada.
CONCLUSION
These developments reflect Canada’s ongoing efforts to manage its international student population sustainably while providing opportunities for high-quality education and work experiences. The increase in study permits highlights the country’s continued appeal as a destination for international education, despite the introduction of new regulatory measures.