Canada has stated that it intends to reduce the number of new international student permits issued. There is a goal of 485,000 approved study permits by 2024. “On January 22, I announced a national cap on study permit applications to address the rapid increase in international students in Canada. The provincial and territorial allocations for 2024 have now been finalized.” “I’d like to take this opportunity to share those figures and explain how we came to these decisions,” Immigration Minister Marc Miller said in a statement. Though the number has decreased, students still get the opportunity to study in Canada. Further, they can book cheap flight tickets from Delhi to Vancouver at Flyopedia.ca. Here, students have numerous opportunities to travel to Canada with multiple inexpensive flight options.
Net Zero First-Year Growth Model
Miller unveiled the Net Zero First Year Growth Model. It aims to stabilize the number of incoming post-secondary students while providing:
- Optimal Support
- Resources throughout their academic journey in the country.
The heart of this model is a national cap. This is calculated to correspond to the number of study permits that will expire this year. The premise is straightforward: “The number of international students admitted in 2024 should match the number of students whose permits are set to expire during the same time.”
To refine this figure, the government considered several factors, including the annual percentage of students seeking permit extensions, which is estimated to be around 20%. By subtracting this cohort (equivalent to 97,000 people) from the original target and adding a small buffer for potential fluctuations, a revised target of 364,000 approved study permits for 2024 emerged. Based on a national approval rate of 60% for study permit applications, the adjusted target translates into a cap of 606,000 study permit applications expected in 2024. Certain types of international students, such as those pursuing primary and secondary education or advanced degrees like master’s or doctoral programs, are exempt from this cap.
Deducting the estimated volume of these exempt groups (140,000 based on 2023 data) from the 2024 target yielded a final target of 236,000 approved study permits. This corresponds to an estimated allocation of 393,000 study permit applications for the coming year. Miller emphasized that these figures serve as a foundation for making informed allocation decisions in future years. Further, he reiterated the government’s commitment to working with provinces and territories to strengthen the International Student Program. Further, provides international students with the resources they need to succeed in Canada. Indian students can have Flyopedia.ca’s cheap flight ticket options including, cheap flights from Mumbai to Toronto and many more. Explore Flyopedia.ca today to find the best deals.
Allocation Model
| Zero net growth (one-out, one-in) | |
| Study permits expiring in 2024 (all cohorts) | 485,000 |
| Exempted groups and buffer | -249,400 |
| Target new study permits approved 2024 | 235,600 |
| Assumptions | |
| Approval rate | 60% |
| Allocations (# of applications) | |
| Cap space allocated to PTs | 392,667 |
Finalizing Provincial and Territorial Allocations
Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has completed the allocation process for provincial and territorial study permit applications. Therefore, this marks a significant step toward implementing the national cap on international student enrollment. The allocation model is intended to ensure equitable distribution while:
- Accommodating regional dynamics
- Seeks to strike a balance between managing growth
- Supporting broader immigration goals across provinces and territories.
This model divided the 393,000 adjusted study permit applications according to the population share of each province and territory. This approach recognizes:
- The varying capacities
- Needs of different regions.
However, some expect to welcome more students in 2024 than in 2023, while others anticipate a drop in enrollments.
For provinces anticipating growth, allocations were adjusted to limit expansion to 10% of 2023 figures, promoting controlled and sustainable development. Provinces that anticipate a decrease in student intake, on the other hand, received adjusted allocations aimed at mitigating immediate negative effects while also aligning with broader regional immigration goals. Furthermore, IRCC implemented top-ups for provinces with approval rates less than 60%, ensuring equitable access to study permits. Further, allowing jurisdictions to meet their enrollment targets by 2024.
Approximately 552,000 study permit applications have been distributed to provinces and territories under the national cap. It is expected that these allocations will result in:
- Approximately 292,000 approved study permits
- A 28% decrease from 2023 levels for the groups subject to the cap.
Miller emphasized the dynamic nature of international student enrollment, stating that various factors, such as:
- Provincial Capacity
- Approval Rates
- in-year adjustments
These may influence the final number of students arriving in Canada in 2024. The data gathered from this allocation process will inform future allocation decisions for 2025. This demonstrates the government’s commitment to collaborating with provinces and territories to strengthen the International Student Program. Further, it provides critical support for international students’ success in Canada. Finally, the traveling option for Students from India to Canada: they can take the best travel offers and cheap flights from Delhi to Toronto at Flyopedia.ca.
Also Read: Why Indian Students Are Avoiding Canada Now
