Foreign student enrollment would be below the ceiling set by the federal government

(Ottawa) The number of international student enrollments at universities across the country has fallen below the cap set for this year by the federal government, according to Universities Canada.

In January, the federal immigration minister announced the cap, presenting the measure as a way to stem the rapid increase in the number of international students.

He argued that the rapid increase in this category of students has put pressure on housing, health care and other public services.

The new policy limits the number of student visa applications the government will accept for processing. The change was expected to result in a 35% drop in the number of international students in 2024 compared to last year.

However, Universities Canada President and CEO Gabriel Miller maintains that the drop will actually be greater than the government expected, which will have a major financial impact on universities.

Miller says the cap has created uncertainty for some potential students. He adds that the pause in visa processing at the Immigration Department while the government implemented the cap may have prompted some students to consider options other than Canadian universities.

Mr. Miller notes, however, that the full impact will only be known after universities return to class in September.