International student permit cuts are pushing away prospective students, experts say

The people who run Canada's universities and colleges are warning that Ottawa's crackdown on international student visas threatens the viability of post-secondary institutions — and could leave students in more remote communities with fewer options.

In September, the federal government announced it would slash the number of visas it issues by another 10 per cent. The new target for 2025 and 2026 will be 437,000 permits. In 2024, the target was 485,000 permits.

Pari Johnston, president of Colleges and Institute Canada, said international students play an important role in making many college programs viable.

"There aren't always enough Canadian students to fill a program, particularly those higher-cost programs in the trades [and] health care," Johnston told CBC's The House.

Johnston also said the study permit cuts, coupled with "under-investment in public education in several provinces," will leave students in remote regions of Canada with fewer education options as colleges struggle with their budgets.

The federal government is also tightening restrictions on post-graduation work permits for international students.

In September, the federal government announced that graduates from programs at public colleges will still be eligible for a permit for up to three years if they "graduate from a field of study linked to occupations in long-term shortage."

Johnston said restricting work permit eligibility to national labour market needs has been "a bigger blow" and runs counter to the realities of Canada's economy, which takes a more regional approach to labour.

Western University president Alan Shepard said Canada also risks losing out on opportunities for innovation, since international students bring broader perspectives and ideas.

"I want students from Canada to have the opportunity to be in classes with people from different economic systems, different religious systems, different races from all over the world," Shepard told host Catherine Cullen.

Meti Basiri is the co-founder and CEO of ApplyBoard, a website that connects international students, recruiters and post-secondary institutions. He said Canada used to be the first choice for students. Now it's third, behind the U.S. and U.K.

"Students around the world are rethinking their education journey in Canada compared to where Canada was last year," Basiri said.

According to an analysis by ApplyBoard published in September, 47 per cent fewer international study permits will be awarded in 2024 than in 2023. The federal government projected a 35 per cent decrease when it announced the permit cuts.

The ApplyBoard analysis attributes the difference to student demand shifting away from Canada under the new policy. Basiri said the message being sent to prospective students is that "Canada is not as welcoming as it used to be."