International students have mixed feelings about visa cap

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At a bustling faculty campus west of Toronto, a number of college students had been excited about just lately introduced modifications to the worldwide pupil program that introduced them to the post-secondary establishment.

Some had been sympathizing with buddies again house whose desires of learning in Canada had been all of a sudden in jeopardy as Ottawa has moved to cap the variety of examine permits for worldwide undergraduate college students over the following two years. Others known as it a smart transfer as Canada goals to get a deal with on the ballooning worldwide pupil program.

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There was a basic consensus, nevertheless, that this system must be reviewed.

For Gayathri Jayachandrakurup Sreeja, who got here to Ontario from India simply final month to start a advertising program, the modifications had her considering of these she knew with related aspirations of a Canadian training.

“They’re just about unhappy about it,” she stated whereas between courses at Sheridan Faculty’s campus in Mississauga, Ont.

“There are numerous college students who’re keen to return right here and examine, set their future, so I feel it’s fairly unhealthy for them.“

Haritha Kaladharan, one other worldwide pupil from India who’s learning enterprise and course of administration, agreed that the modifications had been disappointing many she knew again house.

However she stated it was necessary for Canada to deal with issues related to this system.

“Individuals within the different nation could really feel very unhappy as a result of Canada has (turn into) extra strict,” Kaladharan stated whereas learning for an examination on campus. “However they don’t know the wrestle we face after coming right here.”

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Worldwide college students face challenges securing housing and discovering part-time jobs, she stated, all whereas paying far greater tuition charges than their home counterparts.

“If (Canada is) inviting extra immigrants to the nation, they need to have some plans, like whether or not we may give jobs. The general public discover very laborious to get an lodging,” Kaladharan stated.

“The immigrants right here … allow them to get settled, allow them to get jobs, after that when they get settled, they’ll invite extra immigrants.”

Manmohidpreet Singh, a 20-year-old advertising pupil at Sheridan Faculty, stated the newest cap is important.

“They don’t perceive that they want a lot of cash to outlive right here,” he stated of these overseas considering of coming to Canada for post-secondary training.

“If you wish to come right here, be ready.”

Greater than 900,000 international college students had visas to check in Canada final yr and greater than half of them had newly issued permits. That’s greater than thrice the quantity 10 years in the past.

Immigration Minister Marc Miller introduced this week that new visas for worldwide college students can be slashed by greater than one-third this yr so Ottawa can sluggish a fast improve in short-term residents that has put immense stress on the housing system.

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He stated the two-year cap may even give governments time to deal with issues within the system which have allowed some unhealthy actors to make the most of excessive worldwide pupil tuition whereas offering a poor training.

Some provinces can be extra affected than others. Ontario, which has seen a bigger share of development in worldwide college students, will see its allotment of latest visas lower in half.

“In recent times, the integrity of the worldwide pupil system has been threatened,” Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada wrote in an announcement.

“Fast will increase within the variety of worldwide college students arriving in Canada additionally places stress on housing, well being care and different companies.”

Ottawa has stated Peel Area — the place Mississauga is positioned — is likely one of the areas hit hardest by an inflow of worldwide college students.

Faculties Ontario has stated Ottawa’s transfer is already creating havoc as faculties have a year-round consumption of scholars and lots of worldwide college students already accepted into packages at the moment are having their purposes for examine permits returned to them.

Universities have additionally come out towards the worldwide pupil cap. The Council of Ontario Universities has stated at the very least 10 Ontario universities had been already forecasting a mixed working deficit of $175 million this yr, rising to $273 million subsequent yr.

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In 2022, a report from Ontario’s auditor basic stated the province’s colleges had turn into depending on tuition charges from worldwide college students, notably after the province compelled public universities and faculties to chop after which freeze tuition for Canadian college students in 2019.

On Friday, the Ontario authorities introduced that every one faculties and universities within the province can be required to ensure housing for incoming worldwide college students.

It additionally stated it will overview post-secondary establishments with a “sizable” variety of worldwide college students and introduce a moratorium on new public faculty and personal establishment partnerships.

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