Key Takeaway Box:
- Canada announced a cap on the number of new international student permits for 2024, aiming to reduce the intake by 35% compared to 2023
- The cap will be allocated by province and territory, and will require an attestation letter from the provincial or territorial government to confirm the availability of resources and services for international students
- The cap will not affect students who are already in Canada, or who are enrolled in certain levels and types of studies, such as doctoral, post-doctoral, and French-language programs
- The cap is intended to address the housing crisis, protect students from under-resourced institutions, and ensure sustainable population growth
- The cap will have different impacts on different provinces and institutions, depending on their current and projected share of international students
- The cap will also affect international students and their families, who will have to consider their options and alternatives for studying, working, and immigrating to Canada
- The cap is subject to change and update, and international students are advised to check the official websites and sources for the latest information
Canada is one of the most popular destinations for international students, who come to the country for its high-quality education, multicultural society, and immigration opportunities. However, the influx of international students has also created some challenges and issues, such as the housing crisis, the quality and capacity of educational institutions, and the population growth and distribution. To address these challenges and issues, Canada announced a cap on the number of new international student permits for 2024, aiming to reduce the intake by 35% compared to 2023. This article will explain how the cap will work, how it will affect international students and their families, and what are the implications and consequences of this measure.
How will the cap work?
The cap will apply to the number of new international student permits issued for 2024, which is estimated to be around 360,000, down from 550,000 in 2023. The cap will not affect students who are already in Canada, or who are enrolled in certain levels and types of studies, such as doctoral, post-doctoral, and French-language programs. The cap will also not affect students who are exempt from the study permit requirement, such as those who study for less than six months, or who are citizens of visa-exempt countries.
The cap will be allocated by province and territory, based on their current and projected share of international students, and their ability and willingness to accommodate them. Each province and territory will have a maximum number of permits that they can issue for 2024, and will have to provide an attestation letter to the federal government to confirm that they have the resources and services to support international students, such as housing, health care, education, and employment. The attestation letter will also specify the priority areas and sectors for international student recruitment, such as STEM, health, and trades.
The allocation of permits by province and territory will be announced by the end of 2023, and will be updated quarterly based on the actual demand and supply of international students. The federal government will also monitor and evaluate the impact and effectiveness of the cap, and will make adjustments and modifications as needed.
The table below shows the estimated number of permits by province and territory for 2024, based on the 2020 data and the 35% reduction target.
| Province/Territory | Number of Permits in 2020 | Number of Permits in 2024 (Estimated) |
| Ontario | 223,000 | 144,950 |
| British Columbia | 94,000 | 61,100 |
| Quebec | 66,000 | 42,900 |
| Alberta | 36,000 | 23,400 |
| Manitoba | 19,000 | 12,350 |
| Nova Scotia | 15,000 | 9,750 |
| Saskatchewan | 13,000 | 8,450 |
| New Brunswick | 10,000 | 6,500 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | 5,000 | 3,250 |
| Prince Edward Island | 4,000 | 2,600 |
| Yukon | 1,000 | 650 |
| Northwest Territories | 500 | 325 |
| Nunavut | 100 | 65 |
| Total | 486,600 | 316,290 |
The cap will have a significant impact on the number and distribution of international students in Canada, and will change the landscape and dynamics of the international student system. According to the web search results , the cap will affect different provinces and institutions differently, depending on their current and projected share of international students, their reliance and dependence on international student fees and contributions, and their capacity and readiness to accommodate and support international students. For example, Ontario, which hosts more than 45% of all international students in Canada, will face the biggest reduction in the number of permits, and will have to adjust its policies and strategies to cope with the loss of revenue and talent. On the other hand, Quebec, which has a lower share of international students, but a higher demand for French-language programs, will have more flexibility and opportunity to attract and retain international students who are interested in learning or improving their French skills. Similarly, some institutions, such as the University of Toronto, McGill University, and the University of British Columbia, which are among the top destinations for international students, will have to compete more fiercely for the limited number of permits, and will have to offer more incentives and benefits to attract and retain international students. On the other hand, some institutions, such as the University of Saskatchewan, the University of Manitoba, and the University of Prince Edward Island, which have a lower share of international students, but a higher potential for growth and development, will have more room and opportunity to expand and diversify their international student population, and will have to offer more support and services to accommodate and integrate international students.
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How will the cap affect international students and their families?
The cap will also affect international students and their families, who will have to consider their options and alternatives for studying, working, and immigrating to Canada. The cap will make it more difficult and competitive for international students to obtain a study permit for Canada, and will require them to meet more criteria and conditions, such as having an attestation letter from a province or territory, having a valid acceptance letter from a designated learning institution, and having sufficient funds and insurance to cover their expenses and needs. The cap will also limit the choices and preferences of international students, and will force them to apply for the provinces and institutions that have the availability and capacity to host them, rather than the ones that they are most interested in or qualified for.
The cap will also affect the work and immigration prospects of international students, who will have to adapt to the changing and evolving policies and programs that govern their eligibility and access to the Canadian labour market and the permanent residency system. The cap will not affect the work rights and opportunities of international students who are already in Canada, or who are enrolled in certain levels and types of studies, such as co-op, internship, and post-graduation work programs. However, the cap may affect the work rights and opportunities of international students who are not eligible for the cap, or who want to extend their stay in Canada, such as applying for a visitor record, restoring their status, or applying for other immigration programs. The cap may also affect the immigration pathways and options of international students, who will have to compete with more candidates and meet more requirements and criteria, such as having a valid job offer, having a minimum level of language proficiency, and having a minimum amount of work experience.
The cap is subject to change and update, and international students are advised to check the official websites and sources for the latest information and guidance. The cap is not a permanent or fixed measure, and it may be revised or removed in the future, depending on the situation and circumstances of the international student system and the Canadian society and economy. The cap is also not a unilateral or isolated measure, and it may be accompanied or followed by other measures and initiatives that aim to improve and enhance the quality and experience of international students in Canada, such as increasing the funding and support for international student services, expanding and diversifying the international student recruitment and retention strategies, and facilitating and streamlining the international student work and immigration processes and programs.
The table below shows some of the options and alternatives for international students who are not eligible for the cap or who want to extend their stay in Canada, along with their advantages and disadvantages.
| Option/Alternative | Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Applying for a visitor record | Allows international students to stay in Canada for up to six months without a study permit | Does not allow international students to study or work in Canada, and requires them to prove their purpose and duration of visit, and their ties and obligations to their home country |
| Restoring their status | Allows international students to restore their status as a student or a worker within 90 days of losing it, due to expiration, cancellation, or revocation of their permit | Requires international students to pay a fee of $200, and to meet the eligibility and admissibility requirements for their new permit |
| Applying for other immigration programs | Allows international students to apply for permanent residency or citizenship through various federal, provincial, or |
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| Option/Alternative | Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Applying for a visitor record | Allows international students to stay in Canada for up to six months without a study permit | Does not allow international students to study or work in Canada, and requires them to prove their purpose and duration of visit, and their ties and obligations to their home country |
| Restoring their status | Allows international students to restore their status as a student or a worker within 90 days of losing it, due to expiration, cancellation, or revocation of their permit | Requires international students to pay a fee of $200, and to meet the eligibility and admissibility requirements for their new permit |
| Applying for other immigration programs | Allows international students to apply for permanent residency or citizenship through various federal, provincial, or territorial programs, such as Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Program, or Atlantic Immigration Pilot | Requires international students to meet the specific requirements and criteria of each program, such as having a valid job offer, having a minimum level of language proficiency, and having a minimum amount of work experience |
Conclusion
Canada’s decision to cap the number of new international student permits for 2024 is a significant and controversial measure that will have various impacts and implications for the international student system and the Canadian society and economy. The cap aims to address the housing crisis, protect students from under-resourced institutions, and ensure sustainable population growth, but it also poses some challenges and risks, such as reducing the revenue and talent of the education sector, limiting the choices and opportunities of international students, and affecting the diversity and vitality of the Canadian culture. The cap is not a permanent or fixed measure, and it may be revised or removed in the future, depending on the situation and circumstances. The cap is also not a unilateral or isolated measure, and it may be accompanied or followed by other measures and initiatives that aim to improve and enhance the quality and experience of international students in Canada.
International students are a valuable and important part of Canada’s society, culture, and economy, and they contribute to the country’s innovation, development, and prosperity. They also face many challenges and opportunities in their journey to study, work, and immigrate to Canada, and they need to adapt and adjust to the changing and evolving policies and programs that govern their eligibility and access to the Canadian labour market and the permanent residency system. International students are advised to check the official websites and sources for the latest information and guidance, and to prepare for their studies and work in Canada, by getting a medical exam, obtaining a study permit and a work permit, and finding suitable accommodation and employment.
What do you think of Canada’s cap on international student permits for 2024? Do you agree or disagree with this measure? How will it affect you or someone you know? Share your thoughts and opinions with us in the comments section below. We would love to hear from you. And don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on social media for more updates and insights on the international student system and the Canadian society and economy. Thank you for reading and stay tuned for more articles from HustleHub.