Canada’s Ontario Outlines Criteria for Granting International Study Permit

Ontario, a Canadian province, now prioritizes postsecondary programs at public universities when issuing international study permits.

This move intends to better educate graduates for in-demand jobs that meet Ontario’s labor market needs.

As a result, professional colleges, which are primarily private institutions, will no longer accept study permit applications from international students.

IRCC has limited the issuing of study permits to international students in Canada for 2024 and 2025.

The restriction mostly affects undergraduate international students, excluding those in primary and secondary school, as well as those pursuing master’s and doctoral degrees.

Jill Dunlop, Minister of Colleges and Universities, stressed the need of drawing outstanding foreign talent to Ontario, saying: “We are safeguarding the integrity of our province’s postsecondary education system by attracting the best and brightest international students to study in areas critical to our economy.”

Study permits will be distributed mostly to public universities and colleges in Ontario, accounting for 96% of total permits.

The remaining permits will be granted to language schools, private universities, and other provincial institutions (excluding career colleges).

Ontario’s provincial government will prioritize programs in high-demand professions such as skilled trades, health sciences, STEM, hospitality, and childcare.

There will also be a focus on French-language enrollment to accommodate employer demand for French-speaking employees.

  • Permits allocated to an institution cannot exceed the number issued in 2023.
  • The ratio of international permits cannot exceed 55% (excluding high-demand areas) of an institution’s 2023 first-year domestic enrollment.
  • All public Ontario universities except Algoma University will maintain applications at 2023 levels.
  • Eleven of Ontario’s 24 public colleges will also maintain applications at 2023 levels.

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