British Columbia has introduced new guidelines that will cap international student enrollment at public Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) to 30% of total enrollment. Private DLIs are exempt from this cap.
Currently, B.C.'s 25 public post-secondary institutions are already below this 30% threshold. The province received 83,000 Provincial Attestation Letters (PALs) for 2024, a step introduced by Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to manage study permit caps. These PALs verify student acceptance at DLIs, with 53% allocated to public institutions and 47% to private ones.
Additionally, DLIs in B.C. must now post transparent tuition fees for the entire duration of study, aiding international students in financial planning. International students significantly contribute to Canada's economy, with spending exceeding $37 billion in 2022.
The province will also enforce higher quality assurance standards through the Education Quality Assurance (EQA) code of practice, ensuring institutions develop international education strategic plans, enhance student services, provide housing supports, and maintain standards that protect Indigenous and domestic students. Compliance with the EQA code is mandatory for DLIs to maintain their ability to enroll international students.
