An IMGW News Report
Despite efforts by the Canadian government to reduce the number of temporary residents amid a housing affordability crisis, the number of foreign students receiving study visas has significantly risen in 2024.
In a surprising turn, the number of foreign students receiving study visas in Canada has surged this year, despite the Canadian government’s initiatives to limit the influx of temporary residents.
This development comes amid Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s administration’s efforts to address the nation’s housing affordability crisis, which has notably impacted the government’s popularity.
Government Measures and Outcomes
In response to the housing crisis, the government announced measures to restrict the number of temporary residents, including international students.
However, data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) reveals a different trend. The first four months of 2024 saw the issuance of 187,510 study visas, a marked increase from the 165,805 visas issued during the same period in 2023.
Surge in Indian Students Receiving Study Visas
This increase can be attributed to the rising number of Indian students obtaining study visas. The data shows that 81,260 Indian students received study visas in the first four months of 2024, up from 72,750 during the same period in 2023.
In 2023, Indian students received 278,335 of the total 682,430 study visas issued by Canada. So far in 2024, they have been awarded 91,510 of the 216,620 study visas issued.
IRCC’s Cap on Study Visas for 2024
Despite this upward trend, IRCC had announced earlier this year that the intake of study visa applications for overseas students would be capped at 35 percent compared to 2023. “For 2024, the cap is expected to result in approximately 360,000 approved study visas, a decrease of 35 percent from 2023,” IRCC stated in a January press release.
Government’s Approach to Reducing Temporary Residents
In March, Marc Miller, the Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, reiterated the government’s commitment to reducing the temporary resident population by 5 percent over the next three years. This initiative is driven by the rising housing costs, including home prices and rentals, which have prompted the government to take such measures.
Recent Decline in Monthly Study Visas
However, recent monthly data shows a slight decline. In May 2024, the number of students receiving study visas fell to 30,490 from 34,400 in May 2023. The number of Indian students acquiring study visas also decreased during this period, from 13,055 in May 2023 to 10,560 in May 2024.
Conclusion
Despite the government’s efforts to curb the number of temporary residents in response to the housing affordability crisis, the number of foreign students, particularly from India, obtaining study visas in Canada has risen. The impact of the government’s future steps on these trends remains to be seen.
