International Students In Canada: A Growing Community

Canada has become an increasingly popular destination for international students in recent years, rising to the third most popular destination globally in 2022. The country hosted over 1 million international students in 2023, a 29% increase from the previous year, with India and China making up just over half of the international student population. However, recent policy changes and rising costs of living have led to a sharp decline in international student applications to Canada, with a 46% decrease in applications in 2024.

Canada hosted over 1 million international students in 2023

Canada has become an increasingly popular destination for international students in recent years. In 2022, it was the third most popular country for international students, following the United States and the United Kingdom. This popularity has had a significant impact on Canada's economy, with international students contributing CAD 22 billion to the country's economy in 2022.

According to data from Immigration, Citizenship and Refugees Canada (IRCC), Canada hosted an impressive 1,040,985 international students in 2023, a notable 29% increase from the previous year. This number accounted for more than 2% of the country's population, with some sources even estimating the true number to be as high as two million. The majority of these students were from India and China, with the Philippines, Nigeria, and Nepal also contributing significantly to this influx.

This surge in international students has brought about various challenges for Canada. One notable issue is the impact on the rental market, particularly in cities like Brampton, where students are facing difficulties finding safe and affordable accommodations. Additionally, there have been concerns about the ability of Canadian colleges and universities to adequately support this growing student population.

Despite the benefits that international students bring to Canada's economy and cultural diversity, there has been some backlash. Some Canadians worry about the potential impact on the job market and community relations. The Canadian government has also faced criticism for its handling of the situation, with critics arguing that lenient policies and a lack of infrastructure support contribute to these challenges.

To address these concerns, the Canadian government has implemented several measures. For instance, they have introduced English proficiency requirements for post-graduate work permits and made adjustments to the lengths of permits based on program quality and workforce demand. These changes aim to ensure that Canada remains a desirable destination for international students while also managing the potential challenges that come with such a large influx of students.

International student applications to Canada fell 46% in 2024

Canada has been a popular destination for international students, with over 1 million international students with active study permits in 2023. However, in 2024, there was a significant drop in international student applications to the country. According to sources, student visa applications to Canada fell by 46% in 2024, a sharp decline from the previous year. This decrease is attributed to various factors, including the introduction of an international student cap, changing immigration policies, and growing concerns about the country's capacity to accommodate the increasing student population.

In January 2024, the Canadian government announced a two-year cap on new study permits, aiming for a 35% reduction in approved study permits compared to 2023. This decision was made to address the strain on Canada's infrastructure, including the rental market and healthcare system, due to the surge in international students. The cap set targets of 552,095 study permit applications and 291,914 study permit approvals for capped study levels.

The introduction of the cap had an immediate impact, with a 48% decline in approved study permit applications in the first half of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. This drop was influenced by students who paused or deferred their applications and those who chose alternative destinations. The approval rate also fell to 51% during this period, further contributing to the overall decrease in international student applications.

The decline in applications was not limited to study levels directly impacted by the cap. Even Canadian post-secondary programs not included in the cap experienced double-digit drops in applications, indicating a broader impact on the perception of studying in Canada. This trend was reflected in the global search data, with a 20% decline in searches for "study in Canada" compared to 2023.

The introduction of the international student cap and the subsequent decline in applications had a significant impact on the distribution of international students across Canadian provinces. Ontario, which accounted for over half of all study permit approvals in 2023, projected a 55% drop in approvals for 2024. This shift resulted in institutions in Alberta, British Columbia, and Quebec accounting for a larger share of 2024 approvals, despite each province still expecting a significant decline in approvals compared to the previous year.

Canada is the third most popular country for international students

Canada is a popular country for international students, and in 2022, it was the third most popular destination globally, with the United States and the United Kingdom taking the top spots. Canada's popularity among international students has been rising, with a reported number of 1,040,985 international students at the end of 2023, a 29% increase over 2022. This number constitutes more than 2% of the country's population, and some sources estimate the true number to be as high as two million.

Canada's popularity among international students can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, Canada has a strong reputation for its high-quality education system, offering internationally recognised qualifications. The country is home to several prestigious universities, such as the University of Toronto and McGill University, which consistently rank highly in global rankings. Furthermore, Canada's multicultural society and welcoming attitude towards immigrants create an attractive environment for international students. The country also boasts a high standard of living, with a robust healthcare system and a range of government-funded support services for students.

Another factor contributing to Canada's popularity is its policy of allowing international students to work during their studies and providing post-graduation work permits. This policy enables students to gain valuable Canadian work experience and potentially secure employment after graduation. Additionally, Canada's relatively lower tuition fees compared to other popular study destinations, such as the United States and the United Kingdom, make it a more affordable option for many international students.

However, there are also challenges and concerns related to the increasing number of international students in Canada. There have been reports of inadequate infrastructure in colleges and universities to support the growing student population, leading to a shortage of purpose-built rentals and resulting in overcrowded and unsafe accommodations for students. Additionally, critics argue that the lenient requirements for post-study work permits could result in a loss of valuable future workers and weaken Canada's position in the global education market. There are also concerns about the potential impact on the job market, with Indian-Canadians claiming that international students are "stealing their jobs" and "causing violence" within established Indian communities.

Despite these challenges, Canada remains a highly desirable destination for international students, and its popularity is expected to continue to grow. The country's high-quality education, multicultural society, and opportunities for international students make it a top choice for those seeking a global education.

International students in Canada face crowded and unsafe living conditions

Canada has become an increasingly popular destination for international students, with over 1 million foreign students with active study permits in 2023, a 29% increase from 2022. This surge in international students has resulted in a range of issues, including crowded and unsafe living conditions, particularly in cities like Brampton, Toronto, and Scarborough.

International students in Canada often face challenges in finding suitable and affordable housing. The limited rental market in suburban areas, such as Brampton, restricts options for students seeking accommodations outside of university or college dormitories. This scarcity of purpose-built rentals leads students to turn to informal and underground housing situations, which are often unlicensed and unsafe. Unlicensed rooming homes have a history of residential fires, with 10% of fire-related deaths from 2010 to 2020 occurring in such dwellings. Helen Guo, an 18-year-old international student at the University of Toronto, tragically lost her life in one of these fires in 2018.

The high cost of living and tuition fees further exacerbate the problem, leaving students with limited financial resources for housing. Many students opt for overcrowded living situations to save on rental costs, sometimes sharing mattresses or sleeping on the floor. These cramped conditions can also lead to some residents choosing to use the bathroom outside. The lack of knowledge about tenant protections and the challenges posed by a limited credit history further contribute to the vulnerability of international students in the rental market.

To address these issues, the provincial government mandated in January that post-secondary schools provide sufficient housing for international students. However, the effectiveness of this mandate and the potential impact of a proposed cap on international student numbers remain uncertain. While some critics argue that a cap is necessary to alleviate the housing crisis, others worry that it could result in a loss of valuable future workers and weaken Canada's position in the global education market.

Canada's immigration targets are criticised as too high

Canada has seen a notable increase in the number of international students in recent years, with a 29% rise between 2022 and 2023, bringing the total to over 1 million. This surge in international students has contributed to the overall population growth in Canada, which has primarily been attributed to immigration. While immigration has been key to the country's economic recovery post-pandemic, Canada's immigration targets have faced criticism for being too high.

In October 2024, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced a sharp reduction in immigration targets, aiming to pause population growth over the next two years. The decision was made amidst criticism that the government had increased immigration without adequately supporting services or housing construction. A poll by the Environics Institute found that 58% of Canadians felt that immigration levels were too high, a significant shift in public opinion.

The cuts to immigration targets have been met with mixed reactions. While some Canadians express concerns about the impact of high immigration levels on housing, healthcare, and social services, others worry about the potential loss of future workers and Canada's competitiveness in the global education market. The government's decision to reduce the number of international students and temporary foreign workers has been particularly controversial.

The impact of the policy changes on the international student population is significant. Colleges and universities in Canada have struggled to accommodate the growing number of international students, leading to overcrowded and unsafe housing conditions. Additionally, there are concerns about the quality of programs offered to international students, with a trend of students enrolling in generic post-secondary programs with limited job prospects. The government has introduced changes to the post-graduation work permit program to address labor excess in certain sectors, but critics argue that these changes do not adequately support international students in finding secure and well-paying jobs.

Frequently asked questions