Universities Canada has reported a significant drop in international student enrollment, falling below the federal cap on student visas. The cap, introduced in January by the immigration minister, was aimed at managing the rising number of international students due to concerns over housing, healthcare, and other services.
The policy is expected to reduce the number of international students by 35% in 2024 compared to last year. Gabriel Miller, President of Universities Canada, anticipates that the impact will be even more severe than initially projected, causing substantial financial strain on universities.
He noted that the uncertainty created by the cap and the Immigration Department's temporary pause in visa processing may have driven prospective students to seek opportunities in other countries. The true extent of the decline will become clearer when schools assess student attendance in September.
