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IRCC Shares Projections for Future Departures of Work and Study Permit Holders

IRCC Shares Projections for Future Departures of Work and Study Permit Holders

Nov 6, 2024 | Blog, Immigrate to Canada, Immigration, In the News, New Immigration Programs, Student Visas, Temporary Foreign Workers, Where to seek help

Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) anticipates that by the end of this year, over half a million Non-permanent Residents (NPRs) will either leave Canada or transition to permanent residence (PR) status.

NPRs include those holding temporary visas, such as work and study permit holders. Although IRCC has confirmed immigration targets for 2025, future targets may still be adjusted, with finalized commitments made by November 1st of each preceding year.

The IRCC has also projected the number of new NPRs anticipated in the next three years as it aims to maintain the NPR population at approximately 5% of Canada’s total population.

What NPR Departures Are Expected This Year and in the Coming Years?

According to Canada’s 2024 Annual Report on Immigration, IRCC estimates that 588,409 NPRs will leave Canada or transition to PR by year-end. While a gradual reduction in NPR levels is planned over the next few years, a net increase of 299,216 NPRs is still expected by the close of 2024, bringing the total to an estimated 2.9 million, or 7.1% of Canada’s population.

For the next three years, the expected departures of NPRs are as follows:

Non-permanent Resident (NPR) Measures 2025 2026 2027
Total NPR outflows 1,262,801 1,104,658 875,179
Net change in NPR numbers -445,901 -445,622 17,439
Population of NPRs in Canada 2,515,099 2,069,477 2,086,916
NPRs as a % of Canadian population 6.1% 5.0% 5.0%

Projected NPR Inflows for the Next Three Years

The report also provides projections for new NPR arrivals through 2027. By the end of 2024, IRCC anticipates 887,625 additional NPRs in Canada. Expected inflows for the following years are outlined below:

Non-permanent Resident (NPR) Measures 2025 2026 2027
Total NPR inflows 816,900 659,036 892,568
NPR inflows for students and workers 673,650 516,600 543,600
NPR inflows for contingency reserves 143,250 142,436 348,968

This includes both the International Mobility Program (IMP) and Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) work permit issuances, which are broken down as follows:

  • IMP Work Permits: This category includes permits issued through programs like the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) Program, International Experience Class (IEC), as well as work permits arising from foreign trade agreements and other specific initiatives.
  • TFWP Work Permits: This category encompasses streams like High-wage, Low-wage, Agriculture, and the Seasonal Agriculture Worker Program, among others.

Steps Taken by IRCC to Regulate NPR Numbers

To manage NPR levels, IRCC has introduced new policies, including:

  • Adding language and field of study prerequisites for PGWP applicants after November 1, 2024.
  • Making the international student cap a permanent part of immigration policy.
  • Raising wage thresholds for the TFWP high-wage stream.
  • Restricting eligibility for Spousal Open Work Permits for spouses of international students.
  • Launching an “In-Canada Focus” initiative within Express Entry.
  • Temporarily suspending the processing of certain Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) for low-wage positions in areas with unemployment rates of 6% or higher.
  • Ending the COVID-19 policy allowing visitors to apply for job-specific work permits.
  • Limiting flag poling services for PGWP candidates and revising overall flag poling policies at Canadian border entries.
Canada Announces New Immigration Levels Plan 2025-2027

Canada Announces New Immigration Levels Plan 2025-2027

Oct 24, 2024 | Blog, Immigrate to Canada, Immigration, In the News, New Immigration Programs, Student Visas, Temporary Foreign Workers, Where to seek help

Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) unveils the 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan. This plan outlines the target number of permanent residents Canada will accept annually over the next three years. The plan significantly impacts Canada’s population growth, influencing social systems, taxation, housing, healthcare, and labor market expansion.

This year’s plan marks a significant shift, for the first time, the upcoming plan will include temporary residents, such as work permit holders, international students, and visitor visa holders. This marks a departure from previous years, when the plan focused solely on permanent residents.

In 2023, temporary residents accounted for 6.2% of Canada’s population. The government aims to reduce this percentage to 5% over the next three years.

The primary goal of the plan is to reduce the number of temporary residents in Canada to 5% of the total population by 2026. This reduction is aimed at achieving sustainable population growth and ensuring the country’s long-term economic prosperity.

To achieve this goal, the government has implemented several strategies. First, it has decreased the overall number of permanent resident admissions for the next three years. Second, the plan prioritizes in-Canada applicants, recognizing that newcomers with prior Canadian experience are more likely to integrate successfully and contribute to the economy.

Furthermore, the plan emphasizes economic immigration, allocating approximately 62% of permanent resident admissions to economic streams. This is intended to help address labor shortages in key sectors such as healthcare and trades. While the plan reduces permanent resident targets, it also maintains family reunification and refugee resettlement.

In addition to these measures, the government has introduced reforms to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program and the International Student Program. These reforms aim to limit the number of temporary residents entering Canada and ensure that those who do come contribute positively to the country.

News release

The 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan is expected to result in a marginal population decline of 0.2% in both 2025 and 2026 before returning to a population growth of 0.8% in 2027. These forecasts account for today’s announcement of reduced targets across multiple immigration streams over the next two years, as well as expected temporary resident outflows resulting from the 5% target, natural population loss and other factors.

Compared to last year’s plan, the Canadian Government is:

  • reducing from 500,000 permanent residents to 395,000 in 2025
  • reducing from 500,000 permanent residents to 380,000 in 2026
  • setting a target of 365,000 permanent residents in 2027

The Levels Plan also supports efforts to reduce temporary resident volumes to 5% of Canada’s population by the end of 2026. Given temporary resident reduction measures announced in September and this past year, Canada’s temporary population will decrease over the next few years as significantly more temporary residents will transition to being permanent residents or leave Canada compared to new ones arriving.

Specifically, compared to each previous year, we will see Canada’s temporary population decline by

  • 445,901 in 2025
  • 445,662 in 2026
  • a modest increase of 17,439 in 2027

Quick Facts

  • Canada’s population has grown in recent years, reaching 41 million in April 2024. Immigration accounted for almost 98% of this growth in 2023, 60% of which can be attributed to temporary residents.
  • This plan to right-size population growth after the post-pandemic surge will support continued robust GDP growth and enable GDP per capita growth to accelerate throughout 2025 to 2027, as well as improve housing affordability and lower the unemployment rate.
  • Reducing the volume of immigrants will help to alleviate some pressure in the housing market, with the housing supply gap expected to decrease by approximately 670 000 units by the end of 2027.
  • The temporary resident targets in the levels plan do not include short-term visitors or seasonal workers, who are not captured in annual population estimates. Targets are for the number of net new temporary residents entering Canada each year.
  • The Government of Canada has put in place measures to manage the volume of temporary resident arrivals, uphold the integrity of our immigration system and protect vulnerable people, including

According to Statistics Canada, immigrants are making important contributions across every sector of Canada’s economy—namely, health care, construction and transportation. When it comes to Canada’s residential construction sector, immigrants play a key role, accounting for 23% of all general contractors and residential builders.

Other measures from the 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan

  • Transitioning more temporary residents who are already in Canada as students and workers to permanent residentsRepresenting more than 40% of overall permanent resident admissions in 2025, these residents are skilled, educated and integrated into Canadian society. They will continue to support the workforce and economy without placing additional demands on our social services because they are already established, with housing and employment.
  • Focusing on long-term economic growth and key labour market sectors, such as health and tradesPermanent resident admissions in the economic class will reach 61.7% of total admissions by 2027.
  • Strengthening Francophone communities outside Quebec and supporting their economic prosperityOf the overall permanent resident admission targets, Francophone immigration will represent
    • 8.5% in 2025
    • 9.5% in 2026
    • 10% in 2027

A recap of the recent immigration changes in canada

Study Permits

IRCC has imposed a cap on the number of study permits it will process for international students. This year, the department expects to process 606,000 applications, with an anticipated approval rate of 360,000. This represents a 35% reduction compared to 2023.

This decision surprised many, given the minister’s previous stance against setting caps or targets for Canada’s international student program. International students constituted 42% of Canada’s temporary residents in 2023.

Moreover, IRCC plans to further reduce the number of study permits processed in 2025 to 437,000. Notably, master’s and PhD students, previously exempt, will now be included under the cap.

Open Work Permits

IRCC also intends to decrease the number of Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWPs) and Spousal Open Work Permits (SOWPs) issued over the next three years.

New eligibility requirements have been introduced for PGWP applicants. They must now demonstrate a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) score of at least 7 if they are university graduates or CLB 5 if they are college graduates. These changes are expected to result in 175,000 fewer PGWPs being issued over the next three years.

Changes to the SOWP program will also reduce the number of temporary residents. Spouses of international master’s students may now only be eligible for a SOWP if their spouse’s program is 16 months or longer or if they are enrolled in a program deemed critical or in-demand.

Spouses of “highly skilled, specialized workers” will remain eligible for SOWPs. However, stricter criteria will likely lead to a reduction of 100,000 open work permits over the next three years.

Overall, IRCC expects to issue 325,000 fewer open work permits in the coming years.

Closed Work Permits

The Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) has also undergone changes. Employers can no longer hire more than 10% of their total workforce through the TFWP. Additionally, the maximum duration of employment for workers hired through the Low-Wage stream has been reduced from two years to one year.

IRCC will not process low-wage Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) from employers in Census Metropolitan Areas (CMAs) with an unemployment rate higher than 6%, with certain exceptions. While the minister did not provide an estimate, these changes are expected to reduce the number of temporary foreign workers in Canada.

Permanent Residents

The Immigration Levels Plan 2024-2026 set a target of welcoming 500,000 permanent residents annually in 2025 and 2026.

Permanent residents can be admitted through economic immigration, family class sponsorship, refugee and protected persons, and humanitarian lines of business.

Minister Miller has stated that all options are on the table regarding the number of permanent residents Canada will admit in the coming years and that changes would be significant. He has indicated a potential shift in the “type of immigration Canada is supporting.”

Currently, 60% of immigration to Canada focuses on economic immigrants. The minister has suggested that this level may be reconsidered.

Factors Influencing the Plan

The increasing population has raised concerns among Canadians about the impact on affordable housing and healthcare. These issues are expected to influence the next federal election and were highlighted in the 2023 Environics Institute report on Canadian support for immigration.

The report noted a decline in support for immigration among Canadians compared to previous years. Many Canadians expressed concerns about the projected high level of immigration and its potential strain on resources.

Minister Miller has also emphasized the need to address the number of temporary residents, particularly international students, to prevent fraud and ensure adequate support for newcomers.

Despite these concerns, both Miller and Boissonnault have consistently highlighted the cultural advantages of immigration and its contribution to Canada’s labor force growth. They have stressed the importance of finding a balanced approach.

Are you affected by these measurements?

If you’re affected by these changes to the immigration programs, seeking professional guidance is crucial. Our experienced immigration experts can provide tailored advice to help you navigate the new regulations and understand your options. Whether you’re a foreign worker looking to continue your employment in Canada or an employer seeking to hire temporary foreign workers, our team can assist you in finding the best solutions and staying informed about the latest updates. Get assistance here.

 

News release: Canada Tightens Temporary Foreign Worker Program, effective November 8, 2024

News release: Canada Tightens Temporary Foreign Worker Program, effective November 8, 2024

Oct 23, 2024 | Blog, Immigrate to Canada, Immigration, In the News, New Immigration Programs, Student Visas, Temporary Foreign Workers, Where to seek help

The Canadian government has announced significant changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program, aimed at protecting the domestic labor market and preventing abuse of the system.

Effective November 8, 2024, the starting hourly wage for workers coming to Canada through the high-wage stream will be increased by 20%. This means more jobs will fall under the stricter rules of the low-wage stream, which includes additional employer requirements for housing, transportation, and recruitment of domestic workers.

The government hopes these changes will encourage employers to hire Canadian workers, especially from underrepresented groups like youth, Indigenous people, women, and people with disabilities. Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages, Randy Boissonnault, emphasized the importance of tapping into Canada’s untapped talent pool.

In addition to the wage increase, the government is also implementing stricter measures to prevent fraud and abuse of the TFW Program. Employers will no longer be able to use attestations from professional accountants or lawyers to prove their business legitimacy. The government will also strengthen information sharing with provincial and territorial partners to ensure only genuine job offers are approved.

The changes are expected to affect 34,000 positions, potentially leading to a decrease of 20,000 approved positions through the TFW Program. The government remains committed to monitoring the program for misuse and fraud, and may implement further adjustments as needed.

Potential Impacts of the TFW Program Changes on Foreign Workers and Employers

The recent changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program are expected to have significant implications for both foreign workers and employers.

For foreign workers:

  • Increased Difficulty in Obtaining Employment: The higher wage threshold for the high-wage stream and stricter rules for the low-wage stream may make it more difficult for foreign workers to find suitable employment in Canada.
  • Higher Living Costs: The increased wage requirement could lead to higher living costs for foreign workers, as they may need to find more expensive accommodation or transportation.
  • Reduced Job Security: With stricter regulations and a focus on hiring domestic workers, foreign workers may face increased job insecurity and a shorter duration of their temporary work permits.

For employers:

  • Increased Costs: The higher wages and additional requirements for the low-wage stream could increase costs for employers, potentially reducing their profitability.
  • Difficulty in Filling Vacancies: If fewer foreign workers are able to meet the new requirements, employers may struggle to fill certain job vacancies, particularly in sectors with labor shortages.
  • Increased Administrative Burden: Complying with the stricter regulations and providing additional support for foreign workers will increase the administrative burden on employers.

Overall, the changes to the TFW Program are likely to have a mixed impact on foreign workers and employers. While the changes are intended to protect the Canadian labor market and prevent abuse of the program, they may also have unintended consequences for those who rely on the TFW Program.

Quick facts

  • The low-wage stream and high-wage stream are two components of the TFW Program, differentiated by the wage level offered. There are key differences between the streams:
    • The low-wage stream is for jobs where the wage offered is below the provincial or territorial median hourly wage plus 20%. Under this stream:
      • employers must provide supports for workers that include return transportation to their country of origin and ensuring or providing suitable accommodation;
      • employers must conduct at least two additional methods of recruitment that are consistent with the occupation (targets an audience that has the appropriate education, professional experience and or skill level required for the occupation);
      • employers are limited to a temporary foreign worker complement of 10% of their workforce at any worksite (up to 20% for certain high-demand sectors); and
      • the TFW Program will not process LMIA applications for positions in Census Metropolitan Areas (CMA) where the unemployment rate is 6% or higher.
    • The high-wage stream is for jobs where the wage offered is above the provincial or territorial median hourly wage plus 20%. Under this stream:
      • there is currently no limit on the number of workers an employer can hire; and
      • CMA unemployment rates are not taken into consideration in LMIA application assessments.
  • The changes announced today are forecasted to result in 34,000 positions moving from the high-wage stream to the more stringent rules of the low-wage stream. This shift could result in as many as 20,000 fewer positions being approved through the TFW Program when combined with other policies in effect as of September 26, 2024, including the following:
    • the Government of Canada does not process LMIAs in the low-wage stream in CMAs with an unemployment rate of 6% or higher (with some exceptions for high-demand sectors); and
    • employers may hire no more than 10% of their total workforce through the TFW Program (with some exceptions for high-demand sectors).
  • As part of the LMIA, all job offers made by employers must be assessed to ensure that both the business and the job offer are genuine and legitimate. Applicants must provide supporting documents, as detailed on this web page: Business legitimacy – Canada.ca.
  • The Government of Canada is striving to ensure better representation of under-represented groups in the Canadian labour market. Examples of challenges facing these groups include the following:
    • In September 2024, the youth unemployment rate was 13.5%, compared to the national average of 6.5%.
    • Indigenous people at all education levels had higher unemployment rates in 2023 (7.7%) than the non-Indigenous population aged 25 to 54 (4.5%).
    • In 2022, the employment rate among those aged 16 to 64 with disabilities (65.1%) was 15 percentage points lower than the rate for those without disabilities (80.1%).

Are you affected by these measurements?

If you’re affected by these changes to the TFW Program, seeking professional guidance is crucial. Our experienced immigration experts can provide tailored advice to help you navigate the new regulations and understand your options. Whether you’re a foreign worker looking to continue your employment in Canada or an employer seeking to hire temporary foreign workers, our team can assist you in finding the best solutions and staying informed about the latest updates. Get assistance here.

Important Changes to Canada’s Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) Program

Important Changes to Canada’s Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) Program

Oct 10, 2024 | Blog, Immigrate to Canada, Immigration, In the News, New Immigration Programs, Student Visas, Temporary Foreign Workers, Where to seek help

Effective November 1, 2024, the Canadian government is introducing significant changes to the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) program. These changes aim to align the program more closely with the country’s labor market needs and ensure that international students who graduate from Canadian institutions have the skills and qualifications required to contribute meaningfully to the Canadian economy.

Key Changes

One of the most notable changes is the introduction of new language requirements. Starting November 1st, all PGWP applicants will be required to demonstrate a higher level of English or French language proficiency. This means that students who graduate from university programs will need to achieve a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) of 7 in all four language skills (reading, writing, listening, and speaking). For students who graduate from college programs or other programs not listed above, the required CLB level is 5.

Another significant change involves field of study requirements. While all fields of study are eligible for PGWP for students graduating from university programs, those graduating from college programs or other programs will need to have completed a program in a specific field of study that aligns with Canada’s long-term labor shortages. These fields include agriculture and agri-food, healthcare, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), trade, and transport.

 

New eligibility requirements

If you submitted your study permit application before November 1, 2024

If you submitted your study permit application before November 1, 2024 and are applying for a PGWP on or after November 1, 2024, you must also meet the new requirement that applies to your situation.

  • If you graduated with a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or doctoral degree from a university:
    • Language requirement: You must prove your English or French language skills with a minimum level of Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) 7 in English or Niveaux de competence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) 7 in French in all 4 language areas.
  • If you graduated in any other university program:
    • Language requirement: You must prove your English or French language skills with a minimum level of CLB 7 in English or NCLC 7 in French in all 4 language areas.
  • If you graduated from a college program or any other program not listed above:
    • Language requirement: You must prove your English or French language skills with a minimum level of CLB 5 in English or NCLC 5 in French in all 4 language areas.

If you submit your study permit application on or after November 1, 2024

Language requirements

You must provide proof of language ability to meet the language requirements for the PGWP when you submit your application.

To measure your English or French levels, you will be required to use

Proof of language ability

You must demonstrate your skill in each of the following abilities:

  • reading
  • writing
  • listening
  • speaking

Your test results must be less than 2 years old when you submit your application. Language test results from these tests are:

English French

CELPIP: Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program

  • You should take the CELPIP-General test.

TEF Canada: Test d’évaluation de français

IELTS: International English Language Testing System

  • You should take the IELTS General Training option.

TCF Canada: Test de connaissance du français

PTE Core: Pearson Test of English

  • You should take the PTE Core option
Field of study requirement

If your study program has a field of study requirement, you must graduate from a program linked to certain occupations in long-term shortage. The fields of study are divided into 5 broad categories:

  • agriculture and agri-food
  • healthcare
  • science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)
  • trade
  • transport
CIP codes and title

The Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) is used to classify post-secondary education programs according to field of study in Canada.

Learn more about CIP Canada and how it’s used.

 

What Remains Unchanged

Despite these changes, some aspects of the PGWP program will remain the same. Students who apply for a PGWP before November 1, 2024, will only need to meet the current eligibility criteria. Additionally, graduates from PGWP-eligible flight schools will also continue to be eligible for a PGWP under the existing rules.

How to Prepare

If you’re an international student currently studying in Canada or planning to do so, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with these changes and start preparing accordingly. This may involve taking language proficiency tests, ensuring that your chosen program aligns with the new field of study requirements, and understanding the specific language levels required for your program.

By staying informed and taking proactive steps, you can increase your chances of successfully obtaining a PGWP and building a successful career in Canada.

Canada to stop processing study permits for colleges, universities that fail to track international students

Canada to stop processing study permits for colleges, universities that fail to track international students

Jul 10, 2024 | Blog, Immigrate to Canada, In the News, Student Visas, Where to seek help

Canada is set to halt processing study permits for colleges and universities that do not monitor international students’ enrollment, according to new government plans.

Under the proposed regulations, post-secondary institutions must inform the federal Immigration Department about whether international students are attending classes and complying with study permit conditions.

This initiative aims to bolster confidence in Canada’s international student program. As outlined in the Canada Gazette, students will need to obtain a new study permit each time they switch schools or start a new program.

Federal Oversight and Provincial Jurisdiction

While the federal government is taking steps to enforce these measures, it must navigate the fact that educational governance falls under provincial jurisdiction.

The Immigration Department oversees the entry of international students and sets conditions for study permit holders while in Canada. It also decides whether to issue study permits, although provinces designate which institutions can admit international students.

Federal officials have faced challenges in monitoring students post-entry, including verifying enrollment and compliance before permit extensions or post-graduation work permits are considered.

Integrity Measures and Program Expansion

“The amendments in question are designed to enable IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) to effectively address integrity issues and combat instances of unethical conduct that undermine program integrity,” stated a recent government notice released for public feedback.

Canada saw a significant rise in study permit holders, welcoming over one million in 2023, up from 352,305 in 2015.

The rapidly expanding international student program has garnered attention due to aggressive recruitment by post-secondary institutions and unregulated foreign agents. Many migrants view studying in Canada as a pathway to work and eventually obtain permanent residency.

Policy Adjustments and Proposed Framework

International students have faced blame for Canada’s housing shortages, healthcare demands, and social tensions. In response, Immigration Minister Marc Miller has proposed a two-year limit on new study permits issued.

These proposed adjustments are part of a strategy to implement a “trusted institution framework” this autumn. The framework aims to evaluate designated learning institutions and expedite study permit processing for institutions deemed “trusted,” encouraging responsible student admissions within the sector.

Financial Implications and Off-Campus Work Hours

The projected expenses over the next decade are anticipated to total nearly $87 million in present value, encompassing government implementation costs, expenses for designated learning institutions, and fees for study permit holders seeking to transfer schools.

Additionally, the regulatory revisions propose an increase in the maximum weekly off-campus work hours for international students from 20 to 24 hours, as previously outlined by Miller. This adjustment is aimed at assisting international students in managing rising living expenses, as indicated by government sources

Interested parties are invited to provide feedback on the proposed amendments until July 29.

Canada Launches Trusted Institutions Framework (TIF) to Improve International Student Program

Canada Launches Trusted Institutions Framework (TIF) to Improve International Student Program

Sep 6, 2023 | Blog, Immigration, In the News, New Immigration Programs, New Laws, Student Visas

Canada is a popular destination for international students, with over 600,000 foreign students enrolled in the country each year. However, Canada’s international student program has been criticized for its lack of transparency and oversight. In response to these concerns, the Canadian government launched the Trusted Institutions Framework (TIF) in 2023.

Canada Trusted Institutions Framework requirements

The TIF sets out a clear set of standards for institutions that want to be designated as “trusted institutions.” These standards cover three key areas:

  • Compliance with Canadian laws and regulations: Institutions must have a history of complying with all applicable Canadian laws and regulations, including those governing immigration, education, and labour.
  • Quality educational offering: Institutions must provide a quality educational offering that meets the standards of Canadian post-secondary education. This includes having qualified faculty, providing a rigorous curriculum, and offering a safe and supportive learning environment.
  • Commitment to the safety and well-being of international students: Institutions must have a commitment to the safety and well-being of their international students. This includes providing support services such as counseling, translation, and immigration advice.

In addition to the three key requirements mentioned above, the TIF also includes a number of other provisions, such as:

  • A requirement for institutions to have a risk management plan in place to address potential issues such as fraud and exploitation.
  • A requirement for institutions to provide regular updates to the government on their compliance with the TIF.
  • A mechanism for the government to revoke the designation of an institution that fails to meet the requirements of the TIF.

According to IRCC, “Given that these discussions are ongoing, IRCC cannot speculate on future policy decisions. However, any new developments would be communicated publicly.”

DLIs will be tasked with sharing additional data, including retention rates, on-time program completion, revenue from international tuitions, support services expenditure, housing availability, and teacher-student ratios.

Measuring Institutional Performance under the TIF

The Trusted Institutions Framework (TIF) will evaluate the performance of Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) based on a number of key indicators, including:

  • Retention rate: The percentage of international students enrolled in multi-year study programs who choose to continue their studies at the same institution after their first year in Canada.
  • On-time program completion rate: The percentage of international students who complete their programs within the advertised length of study.
  • Revenue from international tuition: The percentage of a DLI’s total tuition revenue that is derived from international student tuition fees.
  • Scholarships for less developed countries: The dollar value and the percentage of total scholarships and grants awarded to international students from countries identified on the United Nations Least Developed Countries list.
  • Funding for international student support: The value of dedicated support services provided to international students per student and as a percentage of average international student tuition.
  • DLI-administered housing availability: The total number and percentage of international students who are accommodated in housing administered by their respective institutions.
  • Teacher-student ratio: The average teacher-student ratio for the ten courses with the highest enrollment of international students.

These indicators will be used to assess the effectiveness and commitment of DLIs to providing a high-quality education and support services to international students.

Benefits of the Trusted Institutions Framework

Institutions that meet these requirements will benefit from a number of advantages, including:

  • Priority access to Canadian immigration programs
  • Recognition of their commitment to excellence
  • Improved reputation

The TIF is still a new initiative, but it has the potential to make a significant difference in the lives of international students in Canada. By ensuring that institutions are held accountable to high standards, the TIF can help to create a more welcoming and supportive environment for international students.

Conclusion

The TIF is a significant step forward in improving the quality and safety of Canada’s international student program. By establishing clear standards for institutions and holding them accountable to those standards, the TIF can help to ensure that international students have a positive experience in Canada.

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