2-year Cap on Canada Student Visas: The After-Effects

Key Points

1. Canada announced its 2-year cap on international students in January 2024.

2. The cap is set to witness just 360,000 Canada student visas approved in the academic year 2024/25.

3. The cap, however, is not applicable tofor existing international students and graduate students.

The recent changes made apparent in recent Canada student visa news have raised eyebrows among the Indian international populace. The implemented 2-year cap on international students in Canada to stabilize housing prices has resulted in a feeling of despair among students. In India specifically, study-abroad-minded students have felt a more acute feeling of despair. Many in the South-Asian country also felt the disappointment more acutely due to the growing tensions between the two countries at the time.

The 2-year cap announced in January served as a major blow to many Indians pursuing their path to Canada to see their families already settled in the country. “Today, we are announcing additional measures to protect a system that has become so lucrative that it has opened a path for its abuse. Enough is enough.” was what IRCC Minister Marc Miller had to say. Let’s go over the decision made by the Canadian government on the upcoming Canada student visa applications.

The 2-year cap introduced in January would realistically see about 360,000 permits approved over the rest of the year, a 35% decline compared to 2023. However, unlike what most Indians expected, the cap is applicable to all international students rather than just Indian students. In 2024 Indian students have faced shocking visa rejections, too. 

Most people asked why a country that welcomes a large number of international students every year would suddenly impose a cap on them. The answer lies in the housing crunch the country has undergone due to international students in Canada. International students have also faced the major brunt of the housing crisis in many ways. Hopefuls in Canada see the move as a means of protection for existing international students in the country.

Talking about international students already in Canada, they would be happy to know that Canada student visa renewals do not fall under the implications of the cap. Additionally, Canada student visa holders pursuing master’s and doctoral degrees along with secondary and higher secondary education will not be affected by the cap on international students. A silver lining in all of this is the fact that graduate students can opt for a 3-year work permit upon graduation.

All in all, opting for a Canada visa application in 2024 can be seen as a favorable move if you wish to pursue doctoral or master’s studies. If you’re looking to attain undergraduate education in Canada, it is important to realize that the cap was announced only for the upcoming two years. It remains unclear what the Canadian government plans to implement after the end of this period.

International students in Canada contributed CA$ 36 billion in 2022 and are projected to contribute CA$ 42 billion in 2024. It is clear that the international populace is a major provider in the country’s economy. However, the pertinent question that arises is: what would be the effects of the international student cap on the North American country’s economy? 

The wait for these answers may seem long, but it is key to understand that the two-year cap needs to be seen as a temporary measure for the foreseeable future.

TL;DR

Canada imposed a 2-year cap on international student visas starting in 2024 to address housing issues. This sparked concern among Indian students, but the cap applies to all nationalities. Existing students and graduate programs are exempt. While this impacts visa approvals, renewals are unaffected. Graduate students can get a 3-year work permit after their studies. The move aims to protect existing students and may benefit those pursuing higher education. Despite concerns, it's a temporary measure, but its long-term economic impact remains uncertain.

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