The number of international students in Canada has surpassed one million, according to official figures, while the country contemplates placing limits on their arrival amid a growing cost of living crisis. As of December last year, there were 1,028,850 study permit holders, with over half of them located in Ontario, as reported by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to The Globe and Mail.
The figures have seen a significant increase from 637,855 in 2019 to 807,260 in 2022, covering students at various educational levels and those pursuing other forms of study. Among the study permit holders, 526,015 were in Ontario, 202,565 in British Columbia, 117,925 in Quebec, 18,695 in Saskatchewan, and only 10 in Nunavut.
Canada's population growth, one of the fastest globally, is heavily influenced by foreign students, non-permanent residents, and temporary foreign workers, according to immigration experts. In 2023, more than 60,000 international students became permanent residents, reflecting an increase from the 52,740 international graduates who transitioned in 2022, according to IRCC data.
Amid concerns about housing affordability and the rising cost of living, Immigration Minister Marc Miller announced a close analysis of international student and temporary resident numbers. He urged provinces to cease licensing sub-standard private colleges, likening them to "puppy mills" that produce foreign graduates.
India continues to be the leading source country for international students in Canada, followed by China. Although the number of permits for Indian students declined by four percent last year due to diplomatic tensions, they remained the largest group.
Miller announced changes for 2024, requiring students to show a minimum of CA$20,635 in their account, in addition to one-year tuition fees, with an extra CA$4,000 if accompanied by a family member. This marks an increase from the current requirement of $10,000 for covering initial living costs to obtain a study visa for Canada.
(With Agency Inputs)
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