The number of international students enrolling in Canadian universities has dropped by 35% in 2024 compared to the previous year, according to Universities Canada. This significant decline follows the federal government’s introduction of a cap on international student visas earlier this year.
The cap was announced by the Immigration Minister in January as a measure to address the rapid influx of international students, which had been putting strain on housing, healthcare, and other essential services. The new policy limits the number of student visa applications that the government processes, aiming to better manage the growth of the international student population.
Gabriel Miller, President of Universities Canada, warns that the impact of this change may be even greater than anticipated, with potentially severe financial consequences for educational institutions across the country. The uncertainty created by the visa cap, along with a temporary pause in visa processing during the policy’s implementation, may have driven prospective students to seek opportunities in other countries.
Miller notes that the full extent of the decline will not be known until schools assess their enrolment numbers in September, but the early signs point to a significant reduction in international student participation.