Canada’s recent measures to tighten restrictions on international student permits have raised alarms across the country’s post-secondary education sector. University and college officials warn that Ottawa’s crackdown threatens the viability of institutions, particularly in remote communities, while creating uncertainty for prospective international students.

International student advisor, Alejandra Dovalí, noted that Canada’s policy changes have created a “very hostile environment” for international students.

“Starting with changes in proof-of-funds requirements in December 2023 and the cap announced in January last year, the government’s decisions have made it increasingly difficult for students to navigate the system,” she explained.

An analysis by ApplyBoard, a platform that connects international students, recruiters, and post-secondary institutions, estimates that just over 231,000 new study permits will be approved in 2024. This projected number is approximately 47 per cent lower than the 436,600 new study permits approved in 2023.

In September 2024, the federal government announced plans to reduce the number of international student permits issued by 10 per cent over the next two years. The target of 437,000 permits in 2025 and 2026 marks a sharp decline from the 485,000 permits issued in 2024. Additionally, new restrictions limit post-graduation work permits to students in programs tied to occupations in long-term shortage.

Dovalí, who first came to Canada as an international student a decade ago, reflected on the evolution of the education sector.

“The quality of education has severely declined in many institutions,” she said. “Some private-public partnerships exploited the system, offering subpar education at the same price as public colleges. This penalizes both students and institutions trying to maintain high standards.”

Ontario, which hosts 40 per cent of Canada’s universities, has frozen domestic tuition fees since 2018. This has forced institutions to rely heavily on international tuition revenue, making the federal government’s permit cuts a significant financial blow.

The impact extends beyond financial strain. Dovalí highlighted how these changes disproportionately affect students from specific regions.

“We’ve seen an increase in refusal letters for applicants from South Asia, while Latin American and European students have been less affected,” she said.

Critics argue that these measures are politically motivated and designed to address domestic concerns before the next federal election. Canada’s ongoing housing crisis and the strain on its job market have added urgency to the government’s actions.

Dovalí acknowledged some potential benefits of the new rules, such as improving the quality of education and opening more entry-level jobs for domestic workers. “These policies aim to ensure that students graduating from Canadian colleges and universities secure qualified, full-time employment, rather than part-time jobs,” she said.

However, she considers education one of the most effective pathways to immigration. While education remains the best pathway to immigration, it’s not easy, and many agencies have failed to prepare students for the reality of navigating these systems.”

As a result, the Canadian government is now focusing on tightening regulations, including more stringent criteria for study permits and post-graduation work permits.

“The government is aiming to have more entry-level jobs left for Canadians, with international students moving into full-time, qualified employment rather than staying in part-time, underqualified positions,” Dovalí said.