International students enrich and build diverse and inclusive mindsets, developing cutting-edge technology at a better rate than locals in their host countries, and filling the most in-demand jobs on the market. These and more are the benefits they give back to the countries that educate them. In a recent announcement, the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship stated that the Government of Canada will set a cap on the number of international student study permit intake to stabilize new growth for two years, this measure is meant to reduce the number of study permit by 35% from 2023.
In the spirit of fairness, individual provincial and territorial caps have been established, weighted by population, which will result in much more significant decreases in provinces where the international student population has seen the most unsustainable growth. Study permit renewals will not be impacted. Those pursuing master’s and doctoral degrees, and elementary and secondary education are not included in the cap. Current study permit holders will not be affected.
NEW ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR PGWP AND OPEN WORK PERMIT
From September 1, 2024, international students studying in a private university affiliated with a public university will no longer be eligible for a postgraduation work permit upon graduation. Under curriculum licensing agreements, students physically attend a private college that has been licensed to deliver the curriculum of an associated public college. programs like this have seen significant growth in attracting international students in recent years, though they have less oversight than public colleges and they act as a loophole with regards to post-graduation work permit eligibility.
Graduates of master’s degree programs will be eligible to apply for a 3-year work permit. Under current criteria, the length of a postgraduation work permit is based solely on the length of an individual’s study program, hindering master’s graduates by limiting the amount of time they have to gain work experience and potentially transition to permanent residence.
open work permits will only be available to spouses of international students in master’s and doctoral programs. The spouses of international students in other levels of study, including undergraduate and college programs, will no longer be eligible
The new policy aims to ensure genuine students receive the support they require and have the resources they need for an enriching study experience in Canada, while at the same time stabilizing the overall number of students arriving and alleviating pressures on housing, health care, and other services in Canada.
Source: IRCC NEWSROOM
