Study Abroad: Canada caps study permits for international students at 2,92,000

NEW DELHI: The Canadian government has capped the total number of undergraduate and postgraduate international students which will be admitted in the country’s universities. The Justin Trudeau government has fixed the number of international students at around 2,92,000, the Economic Times reported.

The decision comes after Immigration Refugee and Citizenship Canada imposed a cap on the international students that will be allowed to enter Canada. The decision was taken to reduce the increase in demand for housing. The move will likely hit Indian students, especially those from Punjab.

The Justin Trudeau government is facing criticism for allowing entry of an increased number of immigrants — both permanent and temporary residents — even when the country is facing a housing shortage. In an interview with CTV News, Canada immigration minister Marc Miller said the federal government will have talks with provincial (equivalent to state) governments “to make sure that the provinces that have not been doing their jobs actually rein in those numbers on a pure volume basis.”

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“That volume is disconcerting. It's really a system that has gotten out of control,” ” Miller added.

In 2022, India accounted for the most number of immigrants with study permit holders. The Canadian government granted 3,19,000 study permits to Indian students last year. Meanwhile, new reporting by The Canadian Press news agency — citing internal documents obtained through an access to information request — shows the federal government was warned by public servants two years ago that its ambitious immigration targets could jeopardise housing affordability.