International students and temporary workers face potential visa caps in Canada

19–JAN–2024 | In response to escalating public concern regarding immigration levels, particularly amid an ongoing housing affordability crisis, the Canadian government is contemplating the implementation of a cap on the issuance of visas for international students.

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The Canadian government is facing a lot of criticism and media attention for how it’s handling immigration. The number of people moving to Canada is at an all-time high, and this is happening at the same time as a housing crisis that’s affecting many Canadians. Because of the pressure, the government is thinking about putting limits on the number of visas it gives to international students and temporary foreign workers.

It’s not clear how the government will decide on these limits, but some factors might include the kind of programs students choose, if they match the job market needs, where the students come from, the reputation of the school they want to go to, and the area in Canada they plan to study in and the available housing.

A survey in November 2023 found that three-quarters of Canadians now think that immigration is making the housing crisis worse and putting stress on the healthcare system. About two-thirds believe that the current number of new immigrants is also affecting the Canadian education system. On the other hand, most people still think that more immigration adds to the cultural diversity of the country and that young immigrants contribute to the workforce and tax base, supporting older generations. However, there’s been a shift in public opinion, with more people now saying they want fewer immigrants coming to Canada – from 39% in March 2022 to 48% in November 2023.

In Canada, like in the UK, universities depend a lot on international students for financial stability. If there’s a drop in the number of students, it could seriously affect the financial health of Canadian institutions.

In 2022, there were over 800,000 international students with active study visas, which is a 30% increase from the previous year and a 43% growth over the past five years. It’s expected that in 2023, the total will go up to 900,000.

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