Canadian federal measures have significantly impacted the number of international students seeking study permits in 2024. The projected decline of nearly 50% in study visa approvals has dealt a severe blow to international students aspiring to study in Canada.
This drastic reduction is a direct result of stricter immigration policies and increased financial requirements imposed by the Canadian government.
Significant Drop in Study Permit Approvals
Canada expects to approve around 231,000 study permits for international students in 2024, nearly half of the 436,000 permits it approved in 2023. This sharp decline marks a return to approval levels similar to those seen in 2018 and 2019.
The decrease in study permits is largely attributed to recent Canadian federal measures aimed at controlling the influx of foreign students.
Challenges for Indian Students
Indian students aspiring to study in Canada will face major challenges due to the reduced number of study permits. In the first half of 2024, approvals for Indian students dropped by half compared to the previous year. If this trend continues, many students may need to reconsider their plans or explore other study destinations.
Changes in Financial Requirements and Immigration Policies
In December 2023, the Canadian government introduced new financial requirements for international students applying for study permits. Students must now provide proof of funds amounting to at least 20,635 CAD, doubling the previous requirement of 10,000 CAD that had been in place for over 20 years.
This change is intended to reflect the rising cost of living in Canada and manage the growing number of international students. In addition to the increased financial requirements, Canada announced a cap on the growth of international student numbers for the next two years.
Immigration Minister Marc Miller revealed this cap on study permits in January 2024, predicting a 35% reduction in student intake for the year compared to 2023.
Global Decline in Study Permit Applications
The Canadian government anticipates a broader decline in global applications for study permits. By the end of 2024, they expect to grant 39% fewer permits than in 2023. This decrease is a direct response to Canada’s tightened immigration policies and heightened financial requirements for international students.
Economic Contribution of Indian Students
Indian students constitute a significant portion of Canada’s international student population. In 2022, 2.26 lakh of the 5.5 lakh international students in Canada were from India.
Many Indian students contribute to the Canadian economy not only through tuition fees but also by working in various gig economy roles during their studies.
Despite their contributions, the current immigration changes are expected to reduce their numbers significantly in the coming year.
Impact on Postgraduate Applications
These changes also impact postgraduate programs, including master’s and doctoral studies, which have seen a notable decline in applications, despite not being included in the government’s cap.
- Only 114,000 study permits were approved between January and June 2024.
- This marks a 48% decrease compared to the same period in the previous year.
- From April to June 2024, the number of processed applications was down by 54% from the previous year.
Competition from Other Destinations
With Canada appearing less welcoming to international students, many prospective students are exploring alternative study destinations such as the United States, Germany, and France.
The stricter immigration policies and increased financial requirements have made these countries more attractive options for students who are reconsidering their plans to study in Canada.
Government’s Target May Fall Short
The Canadian government aims for 364,000 study permits in 2024, but early indicators suggest this may fall short due to annual permit extension deductions.
- The target for 2024 was set at 364,000 approved study permits, based on a cap of 606,000 applications.
- Early indicators suggest that the target may not be met.
- Around 20% of students apply for study permit extensions annually.
This could lead to a deduction of approximately 97,000 permits from the initial target. The revised target of 364,000 permits is still significantly lower than the 485,000 new international students initially planned for 2024.
Uncertain Future for Study Permit Approvals
According to a spokesperson from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), while approvals and applications have significantly dropped in the first half of the year, it is too early to fully assess the overall impact of the cap on study permit volumes.
The peak period for study permit processing typically occurs in the summer and early fall, which could influence final numbers for the year.
Conclusion
The reduction in study permits for 2024 highlights challenges for international students, especially from India. With stricter financial requirements and a cap on student numbers, prospective students must stay informed and explore alternative options.
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