Indian students will be the most affected. Every year, they are the largest group to immigrate to Canada for their studies.
In this article, we will delve into the key aspects of this new policy, the reasons behind it and its implications for Indian students.
What Is The New Canada Study Permit Limit?
Reduced Study Permits – In 2024, Canada will only be giving out 360,000 new study permits for international students. This is 35% less than the number of new international students who came to Canada in 2023. The number of study permits for 2025 will be revealed at the end of 2024.
Temporary Measure: The student cap is currently planned for 2 years, i.e.,2024 and 2025. The policy may continue or change in the future. No additional info regarding that has been provided as of now.
How will it be implemented?
Each territory and province in Canada will be allotted a quota of study permits by the Canadian Immigration Department.
The governments of these respective regions will decide how their study permit quota should be distributed among their designated universities.
Why: The Reasons Behind The Cap
Exploitation Concerns: Because of the huge rush of international students to Canada, new educational institutions have sprung up to try and cater to this need.
Many have been accused of exploiting international students for financial gain. Also, they provide students with a sub-par study experience with under-resourced campuses and high tuition fees.
By limiting the number of students, Canada wants to counter this menace.
Strain on Resources: The influx of international students has strained Canada’s housing market and healthcare facilities.
Canada wants to make sure they are only able to take in those students who can be provided with quality education and facilities as per their current infrastructure.
Uneven Provincial Impact: Some provinces have been particularly affected by the rapid influx of international students. For example, Ontario is one of the provinces receiving the most international students. Thus, it may face a severe capping of student numbers, maybe by 50% to address this uneven growth.
What It Means for Indian Students
For Indian Students Planning to Go to Canada:
Masters and Doctoral Students: If you are planning to pursue a master’s or doctoral degree in Canada, there is good news. You are not subject to the cap, which means your educational goals won’t be hindered by this policy.
Work Permits for Student Spouses: If you are considering bringing your spouse to Canada while you study, please note work permits for student spouses will now only be granted to those enrolled in master’s or doctoral programs.
Attestation Letter Requirement: Starting from January 22, 2024, students will need to obtain an attestation letter from the Canadian province or territory where their chosen university is located. This letter confirms the region’s capacity to accommodate students. It will be a crucial part of the study permit application process.
Public-Private Partnerships: From September 1, 2024 onwards, post-graduate work permits will no longer be issued to students enrolled in programs delivered via public-private partnerships (i.e., a private college licensed to deliver the curriculum of an associated public college). This change may affect your post-graduation plans if you plan to study in a private college following this model.
For Indian Students Already in Canada:
Current Permit Holders: If you are currently studying in Canada with a valid study permit, you are exempt from this cap. This means you can continue your studies without interruptions.
Permit Renewals: The policy does not affect permit renewals for existing students. You can proceed with renewing your study permit as usual.
Lesser Competition For Jobs: Currently, it’s quite difficult to get a job in Canada for international students. This is because of the lesser number of jobs and higher number of incoming student population there. With a cap on international students, this situation should be mitigated to a large extent. The students already in Canada should find it comparatively easier to find jobs.
In conclusion, while Canada remains an attractive destination for Indian students, these recent policy changes necessitate careful planning and consideration. Stay informed about updates, deadlines, and eligibility criteria for Canada.
Subhash is the head of content at Extravelmoney.com. Subhash’s contributions to content involve demystifying complex financial topics like currency exchange and international money transfers, making them accessible and engaging for a wide audience. His efforts are integral to ExTravelMoney’s mission of providing transparent and convenient financial solutions.
