The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, has shed light on the finalized allocations of international students for provinces and territories in 2024. The announcement comes as part of a broader initiative to provide a detailed explanation of the decision-making process that behind the allocations. Here's a breakdown of the key points outlined in Minister Miller's statement:
Net Zero First Year Growth Model:
The national cap on study permit applications introduced in January addresses the rapid increase in international student numbers and is based on a net zero first-year growth model, where the number of incoming international students matches the number of expiring study permits.
After subtracting study permit extensions of about 97,000 from the target of 485,000 and accounting for variations, the revised target for approved study permits in 2024 stands at 364,000.
Allocation Adjustment Process:
International students exempt from the cap include primary and secondary school students and master’s or doctoral degree students.
Taking into account an estimated volume of 140,000 students in these exempt groups, based on 2023 data, the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) deducted this number from the 2024 target for approved study permits. Consequently, the target was adjusted to 236,000 approved study permits for 2024, translating to approximately 393,000 study permit applications available for allocation.
Provincial and Territorial Allocations:
The adjusted number of study permit applications,393,000, was distributed among provinces and territories based on their population share.
To manage growth, allocations for provinces receiving more students were capped at a 10% increase compared to 2023, while adjustments were made to support provinces experiencing declines.
Additional allocations were provided to provinces with lower approval rates to ensure they meet their expected number of approved study permits in 2024.
Impact and Expectations:
Approximately 552,000 study permit applications have been allocated, expected to result in around 292,000 approved study permits—a 28% reduction from 2023 for groups included under the cap.
Minister Miller acknowledged various factors that could influence final numbers, such as provincial capacity, changing approval rates, and potential in-year adjustments.
What Next?
As Canada continues to welcome students from around the world, these measures aim to ensure a sustainable and supportive environment for both international students and host communities. If you're still thinking about studying in Canada, starting the application process early is crucial. We recommend scheduling a consultation with our Consultants to discuss your options and develop a personalized strategy for your Canadian study aspirations.