Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has introduced a significant shift in its international student policy for 2024, implementing a temporary cap on the number of new study permits issued. This move was announced on January 22, 2024, and is expected to reduce the total number of permits by 35%—resulting in approximately 360,000 approved study permits, down from the previous year.
The newly announced limit aims to address concerns about the rapid and often unsustainable growth in the number of international students, particularly in provinces where such growth has strained housing, education infrastructure, and resources. The cap will be distributed across each province and territory proportionally, based on population. Provinces with the highest increases in international student enrollments are expected to see the most substantial reductions.
It is important to note that this cap applies only to new study permit applications. Current study permit holders, individuals renewing existing permits, and students pursuing master’s or doctoral degrees are not affected by the changes.
In addition to the cap, IRCC now requires all study permit applications, as of January 22, to include a provincial attestation letter. Each province and territory will need to put in place a system to issue these letters by no later than March 31, 2024. This requirement is intended to improve oversight and coordination with provincial education systems.
The department also noted that the overall cap policy will be subject to review and possible adjustments in 2025, depending on outcomes and trends in student arrivals this year.
Accompanying the cap policy, IRCC has also revised the eligibility criteria for the Post Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), a key incentive for many international students choosing Canada.
Starting in September 2024, international students enrolled in programs run through curriculum licensing agreements—where private colleges license course material from public institutions—will no longer be eligible for a PGWP. IRCC cited concerns over limited oversight and the rapid proliferation of these programs, which have become backdoor routes to extended stays and work opportunities.
In contrast, new benefits have been introduced for graduates of short-duration advanced programs. International students completing master’s degrees or other graduate-level programs now qualify for a three-year open work permit—aligning their post-study opportunities more closely with those available to longer undergraduate programs.
These sweeping changes reflect Canada’s ongoing effort to balance its commitment to international education with broader immigration integrity and sustainability goals. Maple News will continue to monitor and report on how these adjustments impact students, educational institutions, and the broader immigration landscape.