Canadian officials announced an intake cap on international student permit applications for a period of two years.

‌Key Points:

• The cap is expected to provide approximately 360,000 approved study permits in 2024, a decrease of 35% from 2023.

• The temporary measure will be in place for two years, and the number of new study permit applications in 2025 will be reassessed at the end of this year.

• Canadian authorities will allocate a portion of the cap to each province and territory, weighted by population, and the provinces and territories will then distribute the allocation among their designated learning institutions.

• In order to implement the cap, study permit applications will now require an attestation letter from the respective province or territory. Effective Jan. 22, applications without an attestation letter will be returned.

• Current study permit holders and renewing applicants will not be affected. Additionally, individuals pursuing master’s and doctoral degrees as well as elementary and secondary education are not included in the cap.

BAL Analysis: The intake cap is designed to support sustainable population growth and stabilize the number of international students. Officials recently announced reforms to the International Student Program as well to ensure students receive support and necessary resources, while at the same time stabilizing the overall number of students arriving and alleviating pressures on housing, healthcare and other services in Canada. Employers should be aware of these recent efforts in their 2024 employment strategies and recruitment efforts.