In an effort to bolster the integrity of Canada’s international student program, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is contemplating the implementation of a two-tier model for study permit issuance. This model would grant designated learning institutions (DLIs) expedited processing of study permits for international students who enroll in their programs, provided they meet specific criteria outlined in the Trusted Institutions Framework. DLIs, encompassing colleges, universities, and other educational establishments, are authorized by Canada’s provincial and territorial governments to admit international students.
While the details of the Trusted Institutions Framework remain confidential due to IRCC’s closed-door discussions, the underlying objectives are crystal clear. The framework’s primary aim is to evaluate DLIs based on various criteria that demonstrate their reliability as partners in ensuring sustainable intake, identifying genuine students, monitoring and reporting compliance, and providing a safe and enriching experience for international students.
Key Proposed Indicators for Assessing DLIs
To shed light on the proposed evaluation process for DLIs, several key indicators have been put forward for consideration:
Retention Rates: This metric evaluates the percentage of international students in multi-year study programs who remain enrolled in their initial program after their first year in Canada.
On-time Program Completion Rate: It assesses the percentage of international students who successfully complete their programs within the advertised duration of study.
Percentage of Revenue from International Tuition: This indicator examines the proportion of a DLI’s total tuition revenue derived from international student fees.
Scholarships Awarded to International Students from Less Developed Countries: This parameter measures both the dollar value and the percentage of total scholarships and grants allocated to international students from countries listed as the UN’s Least Developed Countries.
Funding for International Student Supports: It evaluates the value of targeted support services provided to international students per student and as a percentage of average international student tuition. Such support may encompass mental health services, career counseling, employment guidance, and immigration counseling.
Availability of DLI-Administered Housing: This aspect considers the total number and percentage of international students residing in housing managed by their institution.
Teacher-Student Ratio: It assesses the average teacher-student ratio for the ten courses with the highest enrollment of international students.
In addition to these indicators held by DLIs themselves, the Canadian government will contribute to the evaluation process. Data sources will include study permit approval rates, the countries of origin of international students, and post-graduation outcomes, including transitions to visas like the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). IRCC plans to commence data collection and analysis from all DLIs in the coming months, with the aim of establishing the initial list of Trusted Institutions by spring 2024.
Canada’s Appeal to International Students
Canada remains an attractive destination for international students, offering high-quality education, affordability, work-study opportunities, and the potential for post-graduation immigration. In 2022, Canada welcomed a record-breaking 551,405 international students from 184 countries. As of December 31st, 2022, there were a staggering 807,750 international students in Canada holding valid study permits, marking a substantial increase from the 2019 figures.
The top ten source countries of new international students arriving in Canada in 2022 were India, the People’s Republic of China, the Philippines, France, Nigeria, Iran, the Republic of Korea, Japan, Mexico, and Brazil.
However, this surge in international student numbers has coincided with Canada’s housing crisis. To address housing affordability issues, the federal government is contemplating capping the number of international students entering Canada for study. This move, combined with the Trusted Institution Framework, forms part of a broader strategy to maximize the benefits of Canada’s international student program. Despite acknowledging the economic and social advantages of hosting international students, the government acknowledges that challenges, including housing shortages, fraud, and employment issues, have arisen with the program’s rapid expansion.
Immigration Minister Marc Miller has refrained from definitively endorsing a hard cap on international student admissions, emphasizing the need to address the broader issues of program integrity and sustainability. As he aptly stated, “Just putting a hard cap…is not the only solution to this. Core to this is actually trying to figure out what the problem is we’re trying to solve. It isn’t entirely housing; it’s more appropriately the integrity of the system that has mushroomed and ballooned in the last couple of years.”