Feds' international student cap could see P.E.I. numbers climb — if enough students enrol

The province has released how many new international students P.E.I. can enrol in the Island's post-secondary schools next year.

On Thursday, the government revealed the maximum number of international students allotted under new federal restrictions.

If P.E.I.'s higher education institutions actually enrol that number, however, it would still be an increase from the current year's numbers.

Citing efforts to slow a national housing crisis, the federal government announced its enrolment restrictions Jan. 22, capping by 35 per cent how many student permits may be issued for the next two years across Canada.

Under the cap, P.E.I. is allowed bring in up to 2,000 students across all its institutions. The province distributed the majority of those spots to UPEI, which can enrol up to 1,185 international students; 710 spots for Holland College; and 105 for Collège de l'Île.

Only first-year undergraduate international students must go through this new process. 

Last year, UPEI enrolled 675 new international students. A Holland College official told CBC it has about 500 international students incoming each year. Both institutions' enrolment figures fell well below next year's capped numbers.

"The allotment distribution … would be somewhat connected to past history numbers," said Jenn Redmond, P.E.I.'s advanced learning minister. "What it will look like going forward, with this new program, we will have to collect the data going forward."

The new system requires post-secondary institutions to confirm with the government each potential new international student applying to study on the Island.

Then the Department of Workforce, Advanced Learning and Population will provide each school with paperwork to pass on to prospective students.

That document, a provincial attestation letter, will be needed when students apply for their study permit to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

Once applicants are granted study permits, they will be valid throughout their time studying at their post-secondary institution.

CBC News also reached out to Collège de l'Île to inquire about their enrolment numbers, but did not receive a response by publication time.