The Canadian government, chaired by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, is introducing stricter immigration policies, specifically aimed at reducing the number of international students and temporary foreign workers. This move comes as part of a broader strategy to address issues related to housing shortages, public services, and fraud within the immigration system.

Immigration Minister Marc Miller announced that the number of international student permits issued will be cut by 35% in 2024, with an additional 10% reduction planned for 2025. This will result in a total decrease of 36% compared to 2023 levels. The government is set to maintain these lower levels until at least 2026.

The Canadian government believes immigration helps the country's economy. However, there are increasing worries that some people and institutions are taking advantage of international students. To stop this, the government is making the rules stricter.

In a recent statement, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said it's important to keep the immigration system honest and fair. He highlighted the need to stop fraud and the exploitation of foreign students, ensuring that they are not mistreated or tricked by dishonest practices. These changes aim to protect the students and improve the overall system.

international student permits
Image Source: Wikipedia

Impact on foreign workers and master’s degree holders

The changes for students and new rules will affect temporary foreign workers, particularly in Quebec. Employment Minister Randy Boissonnault revealed that temporary foreign workers will be banned from working in regions with unemployment rates of 6% or higher. These measures are aimed at encouraging businesses to prioritize hiring Canadian workers.

There will also be changes to work permits for the spouses of master’s degree students and temporary workers, making it harder for them to obtain employment during their stay in Canada. The government stresses that these policies are necessary to manage the growing population of temporary residents, which now makes up 6.8% of the population, up from 6.2% earlier this year.

Why Canada is tightening immigration policies

Canada’s population has grown by about three million people in just three years. This fast growth has put a lot of pressure on housing and public services, making it harder for people to find affordable homes.

One of the main concerns is that the rising number of temporary residents, including foreign students and workers, is adding to the housing problem. Some believe that the increase in temporary residents is making housing less affordable for Canadians, and this issue has become a major point of debate.

In March, Immigration Minister Miller revealed a plan to reduce the number of temporary residents, including students and workers, to just 5% of the total population over the next three years. However, this has proven difficult to achieve as the percentage continues to rise.

Concerns about fraud in the student visa system

One of the main reasons for these new restrictions is the growing concern over fraud in Canada’s international student system. Last year, hundreds of Indian students from Punjab discovered that their college offer letters were fake, resulting in deportation orders. The government is currently investigating over 2,000 similar cases, and steps are being taken to strengthen the visa decision-making process to detect fraud applications more effectively.

Brijesh Mishra, an Indian education consultant, was arrested in British Columbia for his involvement in a scam where he provided fake acceptance letters to students. Mishra charged students between Rs 14 and 16 lakh for these fake documents, affecting hundreds of students between 2016 and 2020.

decline in student permits is already evident

Canada has long been a popular destination for international students. In 2022, the country approved a record 1,040,000 foreign study permits. However, the numbers are now falling. In 2023, only 509,390 study permits were issued, and in the first seven months of 2024, just 175,920 permits had been granted. The government’s aim is to reduce the number of permits further to 437,000 by 2025.

Universities raise concerns over declining numbers

Universities across Canada have raised concerns about the potential impact on their enrollment numbers. Many institutions rely heavily on international students, and with fewer students applying, the financial and cultural contributions of these students might also decline.

The government insists that these changes are necessary to preserve the integrity of the immigration system and protect both the Canadian economy and the interests of international students.

You might also be interested in - Political unrest in Canada NDP leader Jagmeet Singh halts coalition deal with Trudeau