The Canadian Immigration Officer, Marc Miller, has said that the state will be embarking on a compulsory two-year cap on foreign enrollment, News About Nigeria reports.
He made this known on Monday, stating that, as part of this, the government will reduce the number of international student permits by 35 percent next year.
He noted that the country has witnessed an alarming increase in the number of non-permanent residents entering Canada while the country struggles with a housing crisis, adding that these have led to an increase in the pressure faced by the government.
According to him, more than 800,000 international students were issued temporary study visas in 2022, and as of the last fall in 2023, the numbers were on track to be more than triple the number accepted 10 years ago.
He, however, noted that, as opposed to the rumours in circulation, the cap is not to punish international students, who are a valuable asset to the country, but to ensure that their experience and education are up to par.
He added that it was unacceptable that some private institutions have taken advantage of international students by jacking up tuition prices.
He maintained that the move will also avail them the opportunity to address institutions and “bad actors” who are charging exorbitantly high tuition fees for international students while increasing the number of international students they are accepting.
Miller further disclosed that the cap will cut the number of approved study permits in 2024 to 364,000. The 2025 limit will be reassessed at the end of this year, adding that students applying to master’s and PhD programs will be exempt from the cap.
