Canada’s Immigration Minister, Marc Miller, has unveiled measures to enhance the integrity of international student programs. While there won’t be a cap on new international student arrivals, the government aims to combat fraud by introducing a scheme to verify Letters of Acceptance (LOA) required for study permit applications.
Additionally, a “Recognized Institutions Framework” for Canadian designated learning institutions (DLIs) will be established by the fall semester of 2024. This framework will set higher standards for services, support, and outcomes for international students. DLIs meeting specific integrity criteria may enjoy benefits, including priority processing of study permit applications.
Further details about institution recognition and benefits will be provided later. The government will also conduct its first review of the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) in a decade, with forthcoming reforms aimed at addressing labour shortages and regional immigration goals.
These measures aim to maintain Canada’s appeal as a destination for international students while ensuring program integrity.