Canada Considering to Reduce Student Visas

In Canada, there’s an ongoing exploration into the possibility of reducing the count of student visas, as revealed on Monday.

Confirming this development, Housing Minister Sean Fraser explained that the Canadian government is under pressure due to escalating housing costs and is evaluating the idea of limiting foreign student visas, which have seen a surge in recent years.

Because of the relatively uncomplicated process for obtaining work permits, Canada has turned into a favored option for international students. Data indicates that in 2022, the number of active visas for foreign students exceeded 800,000, a significant rise from the 275,000 in 2012.

Read more : Canada Announces Post-Graduation Work Permit Expansion

Recently serving as the immigration minister, Sean Fraser mentioned that the substantial rise in student numbers is placing notable strain on specific housing markets.

When asked about the potential imposition of a cap on foreign student numbers, he responded, “I believe that’s among the choices we should contemplate.”

He added that the government has yet to reach a decision.

Speaking to reporters during a cabinet retreat, the minister conveyed that the country’s temporary immigration programs were never intended to accommodate such rapid growth in such a short timeframe.

Critics are also mounting pressure on Justin Trudeau’s government, asserting that it’s not doing enough to address the housing problem.

Read more : Breaking news for higher education students and teachers

Canada, a sought-after destination for prospective immigrants, holds a population of approximately 39.5 million individuals. The nation aims to admit an unprecedented 500,000 new permanent residents in 2025. Last year, the country experienced record-breaking population expansion, a direct outcome of pro-immigration policies.

Official statistics indicate that in 2022, the population increased by over a million people. This marked the first time since 1957 that Canada witnessed such rapid growth in its population.

Statistics Canada, the government’s census agency, reported that the population reached 39.5 million following the recent growth, constituting the first 12-month period in Canada’s history in which the population surged by over a million.

The 2.7-percent population growth was the highest since 1957, a year that witnessed a 3.3 percent increase in population due to factors including the post-World War II baby boom and an influx of refugees from Europe.