International Students Face Uncertainty in Canada After New Permit Restrictions
Migrant groups are urging the Canadian federal government to reconsider its recent decision to cap international study permits and tighten post-graduate work permit qualifications, warning that these changes could leave many students “in limbo.”
Critics argue that the cap disproportionately affects international students, a key demographic in Canada’s migrant population, while other migrant groups, such as working professionals, face fewer barriers on their path to permanent residency.
Students Speak Out
Tasnimah Ahmed, an international student at Ontario College of Art & Design University, has been studying in Toronto for two years. With the new restrictions on post-graduate work permits, she fears she may have to return to Bangladesh after completing her degree.
“I feel like it’s very unfair,” Ahmed said. “We’ve been studying here for years, putting our heart and soul into our education, only to find out that our future in Canada is uncertain.”
Mehnaz Lamia, the international student representative for the Canadian Federation of Students, expressed similar concerns. “Every day feels like living with an expiration date because policies could change at any moment,” she said.
Government Response to Housing Crisis
Immigration Minister Marc Miller announced earlier this month that Canada will reduce international study permits by 10% in 2025, following a 35% cut this year. The policy changes come in response to Canada’s ongoing housing shortage, a crisis that Miller says has been exacerbated by the influx of international students.
“The rules have changed in the middle of the game,” said Sarom Rhom, an organizer with the Migrant Workers Alliance for Change. “Time is working against these students, leaving them in a massive crisis.”
Migrant advocates are calling for the federal government to allow students already in Canada to apply for post-graduate work permits under the old rules, ensuring they are not penalized by the recent changes.
Unequal Path to Permanent Residency
A major point of contention for international students is the perception that their demographic is being unfairly targeted. While the government has issued tens of thousands of Invitations to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency, these opportunities are not always available to students. Instead, working professionals often have a more straightforward pathway.
Chris Ramsaroop, a representative from Justice for Migrant Workers, described the policy shift as “dividing.” He noted that racialized communities, including international students, feel particularly impacted by the new rules.
While the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) department clarified that many ITAs are intended for students on post-graduate work permits, they did not specify how many would be allocated to students compared to other migrant groups.
Looking Forward
Despite the challenges, international students and migrant advocates continue to push for fair treatment and clearer pathways to permanent residency.
“It’s unfair to blame students for the housing crisis,” said the IRCC in a statement. “But it would be equally unfair to welcome an unlimited number of students without the proper supports – whether it’s housing, healthcare, or quality education.”
As debates continue, the future remains uncertain for thousands of international students in Canada.
Source: Swifteradio.com
