Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has provided details on the distribution of study permits for each Canadian province for the year 2024.
After announcing on January 22 that a cap would be placed on the annual number of study permit applications processed, IRCC explained that the allocation for each province would be based on its population size.
On April 5th, Immigration Minister Marc Miller elaborated on the methodology used to determine these numbers and announced the final study permit allocations for each province.
How the allocation is distributed
The allocation of study permit applications for provinces and territories was based on their population sizes.
The department acknowledged that without modifications, this approach could lead some provinces and territories to receive more international students in 2024 than they did in 2023, while others might see a decrease.
To mitigate potential negative impacts, IRCC adjusted the allocations for provinces that were set to receive fewer study permits.
Provinces that were on track to have an increase in international students in 2024 compared to 2023 had their allocations limited to no more than 10% of their population.
Additionally, IRCC increased the allocations for provinces with an approval rate below 60%, aiming to ensure these regions could meet their expected number of approved study permits.
Ontario receives the largest allocation
Ontario, Canada's most populous province, received the highest allocation of study permits with 235,000 for the year. It houses 530 designated learning institutions (DLIs), as listed by IRCC. However, the province recently indicated that 96% of these permits are designated for public universities and colleges, leaving a small fraction for private institutions to host international students.
Other provinces also saw significant allocations. After adjusting for population and permit approval rates, Quebec was allocated 117,917 study permits.
British Columbia disclosed its allocation of 83,000 study permits back in March, with a roughly equal split between public and private institutions.
Alberta, home to 11.67% of Canada's population, had its allocation limited to 10% of its population, totaling 40,894 study permits.
Nova Scotia initially reported receiving 12,900 study permits, but recent updates from IRCC show an additional 7,472 permits were granted, bringing its total to 20,378 study permits.
Here is the final study permit allocation for each province and territory:
|
Province/Territory
|
PT Allocations (A)
|
Projected Study Permits Approved (B)
|
Change from 2023 (%)
|
Top-Up (C)
|
Revised PT Allocations with Top-Up (A+C)
|
Projected Study Permits Approved (same as B)
|
|
Alberta
|
40,894
|
24,537
|
+10
|
N/A
|
40,894
|
24,537
|
|
British Columbia
|
83,000
|
49,800
|
-18
|
N/A
|
83,000
|
49,800
|
|
Manitoba
|
15,233
|
9,140
|
-10
|
3,420
|
18,652
|
9,140
|
|
New Brunswick
|
9,279
|
5,567
|
-10
|
5,372
|
14,651
|
5,567
|
|
Newfoundland and Labrador
|
2,365
|
1,419
|
+10
|
788
|
3,153
|
1,419
|
|
Northwest Territories
|
333
|
200
|
+4900
|
N/A
|
333
|
200
|
|
Nova Scotia
|
12,906
|
7,744
|
-10
|
7,472
|
20,378
|
7,744
|
|
Nunavut
|
333
|
200
|
+6567
|
N/A
|
333
|
200
|
|
Ontario
|
235,000
|
141,000
|
-41
|
N/A
|
235,000
|
141,000
|
|
Prince Edward Island
|
2,004
|
1,202
|
-10
|
308
|
2.312
|
1,202
|
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