Canada Implements Limits on International Student Visas Amid Housing Crisis

Canada has announced a two-year cap on international student permits and will stop giving work permits to some students after graduation in an effort to address a housing crisis exacerbated by record numbers of newcomers. The cap is expected to result in a 35% decrease in approved study permits in 2024, with the aim of protecting students from under-resourced institutions and easing pressure on housing and services. The move comes amid concerns about rapid population growth fueled by immigration, which has strained healthcare, education, and driven up housing costs. While the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations criticized the cap, the University of Toronto welcomed the announcement and pledged to work with the government on the allocation of study permits.