Canada Sees Rise in Study Permits Despite Govt Restrictions

In an unexpected twist, the number of foreign students receiving study permits in Canada has surged this year, despite the Canadian government’s initiatives to reduce the influx of temporary residents.

This development comes amid the Prime Minister Justin Trudeau administration’s attempts to address the nation’s housing affordability crisis, which has significantly impacted the government’s popularity.

Govt’s Measures and Actual Outcomes

In response to the housing crisis, the government announced measures to limit the number of temporary residents, including international students.

However, data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) reveals a different trend. The first four months of 2024 saw the issuance of 187,510 study permits, a significant increase from the 165,805 permits issued during the same period in 2023.

Surge in Indian Students Receiving Study Permits

This increase can be attributed to the rising number of Indian students obtaining study permits. The data shows that 81,260 Indian students received study permits in the first four months of 2024, up from 72,750 during the same period in 2023.

In 2023, Indian students received 278,335 of the total 682,430 study permits issued by Canada. So far in 2024, they have been awarded 91,510 of the 216,620 study permits issued.

IRCC’s Cap on Study Permits for 2024

Despite this upward trend, IRCC had announced earlier this year that the intake of study permit applications for overseas students would be capped at 35 percent compared to 2023. “For 2024, the cap is expected to result in approximately 360,000 approved study permits, a decrease of 35% from 2023,” IRCC stated in a January press release.

Govt’s Stance on Reducing Temporary Residents

In March, Marc Miller, the Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, reiterated the government’s commitment to reducing the temporary resident population by 5 percent over the next three years. This initiative is driven by the rising housing costs, including home prices and rentals, which have prompted the government to take such measures.

Recent Decline in Monthly Study Permits

However, the recent monthly data shows a slight decline. In May 2024, the number of students receiving study permits fell to 30,490 from 34,400 in May 2023. The number of Indian students acquiring study permits also decreased during this period, from 13,055 in May 2023 to 10,560 in May 2024.

Conclusion

Despite the government’s efforts to curb the number of temporary residents in response to the housing affordability crisis, the number of foreign students, particularly from India, obtaining study permits in Canada has risen. The government’s future steps and impact on these trends remain to be seen.