Canada has announced a 10% reduction in foreign student intake starting in 2025. The move, aimed at preventing misuse of immigration systems, follows a 35% cut in undergraduate study permits for 2024.
Canada is set to reduce the intake of foreign students by 10% starting in 2025, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced. This decision follows concerns about misuse of the immigration system. Trudeau emphasized that while immigration benefits Canada's economy, it's vital to protect the system from exploitation, particularly about international students.
Marc Miller, the Canadian immigration minister, explained that 364,000 undergraduate study permits will be approved in 2024, representing a 35% reduction compared to 2023. The permits will be distributed across provinces and territories based on population.
This move is part of a broader effort to safeguard Canada’s immigration programs and manage its economic resources more effectively. Canada relies heavily on immigration to boost its economy, given the country's low birth rate and the need for revenue to sustain public services such as education and healthcare.
Earlier in 2024, Canada also introduced a two-year cap on international student admissions, aiming to maintain a sustainable presence of foreign students while ensuring the integrity of its immigration system.
In addition to curbing foreign student permits, Canada recently adjusted its labor market policies by reducing foreign worker admissions, reversing previous expansions to the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) program. The country continues to balance its economic needs with immigration reform to support long-term national growth.
