Universities across Canada are reporting a significant decline in international student enrolment, falling below the federal cap on student visas set earlier this year.
The immigration minister introduced the cap in January to address the surge in international student numbers, which was putting pressure on housing, healthcare, and other essential services. The policy restricts the number of student visa applications accepted for processing, anticipating a 35% reduction in international students for 2024 compared to the previous year.
Gabriel Miller, president of Universities Canada, believes the actual decline could be even greater than the government’s forecast, potentially causing severe financial challenges for educational institutions. Miller attributes the drop to the uncertainty created by the cap and the temporary halt in visa processing by the Immigration Department, which may have driven prospective students to explore opportunities in other countries.
The full extent of the impact will become clearer as universities assess their enrolment figures in September.
