Ontario's Government has unveiled its plan for the allocation of international study permits, with a strong focus on public universities and colleges in the province. The move aims to prioritize postsecondary programs that align with Ontario's labor market needs, emphasizing areas such as skilled trades, healthcare, STEM fields, hospitality, and childcare.
In a bid to address demand for French-language skills, Ontario will also prioritize French-language enrollment. Career colleges, which are typically private institutions, will be excluded from receiving international student study permit applications under this allocation.
The decision comes in response to a cap placed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on the number of study permits issued to international undergraduate students across Canada for 2024 and 2025. Ontario's strategy reflects a distinct approach compared to other provinces, with a significant emphasis on public institutions.
Public universities, with the exception of Algoma University, will maintain study permit applications at 2023 levels. Similarly, 11 of Ontario's 24 public colleges will also maintain applications at the 2023 level, with declines observed among colleges with public-private partnerships, including Conestoga College.
Ontario's allocation plan underscores its commitment to leveraging international education to meet labor market demands and enhance the province's workforce. While specific details regarding the total number of study permit applications allocated to Ontario are yet to be announced, it is anticipated that the province will receive the largest quota among all provinces and territories in Canada, given its population size.
