Admissions to top Canadian universities are expected to become significantly more competitive in 2025 due to the government’s decision to reduce the overall study permit cap by 10 per cent.
This announcement gained further attention when Canada’s incoming Prime Minister, Mark Carney, emphasised plans to limit immigration until it returns to sustainable, pre-pandemic levels.
Many students remain hopeful about working and applying for permanent residency after completing their university studies. These discussions have sparked both concerns and renewed optimism among the UAE student community and education consultants about future opportunities.
Rema Menon Vellat, Director, Counselling Point Training and Development, said, “There are already caps in place for Canadian Study Permits and the universities are restricted in the number of Provincial Attestation Letters (PAL) they issue. This has resulted in a dip in student numbers.
“As a former governor of central banks in Canada and the UK, I believe that Carney is a numbers man who will make judicious choices regarding student Study Permits and caps. While he has stated that he will temporarily retain caps, I believe that it will be only until the situation rights itself.”
She explained that these measures will help eliminate unscrupulous agents and diploma mills, ensuring genuine students have access to Canadian education.
“As an international student himself and a finance expert, I’m sure he recognises the importance of international students, their contribution to the economy, their role in addressing skills shortages, undertaking cutting-edge research, and contributing to the diversity matrix,” added Vellat.
Experts emphasised that while housing shortages, visa regulations, and rising costs may affect some students’ long-term plans, Canada will remain a sought-after destination due to its robust programs and work permit opportunities.
Prabhjeet Singh, Founder & CEO, Glinks International, said, “The recent immigration adjustments in Canada are not about closing doors but about ensuring a well-balanced and sustainable student intake. With 437,000 study permits set to be issued in 2025, Canada remains one of the largest destinations for international students. UAE students who plan ahead and meet the updated requirements will still have excellent opportunities to study in Canada.
Singh highlighted that while the process may become more selective, UAE students can still succeed with proper preparation.
He added, “Factors include stronger academic and financial requirements, ensuring students are well-prepared for life in Canada. More strategic selection of institutions, as some schools may face limitations while others remain unaffected. Early applications and complete documentation, giving students an edge in securing their permits.
“Canada remains one of the most welcoming countries for international students. While some adjustments are being made, the quality of education, the safety, the multicultural environment, and post-graduation opportunities remain unmatched.
While alternatives like Australia and the UK exist, Canada continues to offer affordable education, work opportunities during and after studies, and a path to permanent residency for qualified individuals.
The Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) remains a key advantage, though clearer criteria now apply. Programmes must align with Canada’s labor market needs, ensuring students graduate into strong employment sectors.
Starting November 1, 2024, students in fields linked to long-term labour shortages, including Agriculture, Education, Healthcare, STEM, and Trade, will have better chances for post-graduation work permits.
“These fields include, Agriculture and Agri-Food, Education, Healthcare, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), Trade and transport among others,” added Singh.
Meanwhile, a Dubai resident for the past 21 years, has a daughter studying in Canada since 2023 and a son who has been working there for the past two years.
Shedding light on the issue from her perspective, Arpita Bhattacharya said, “It’s not that students looking to study in Canada are not getting visas or work permits. The Canadian government is streamlining the process by addressing cases where unskilled laborers enroll in lesser-known universities as students to gain entry into the country. Many take on odd jobs while holding student visas.”
She added, “My son, who graduated from the University of Toronto with a degree in Computer Science Engineering, received his work permit and has been employed at a company for the past two years. He has applied for Permanent Residency (PR) as well. Last year, he narrowly missed the required points under the latest criteria. However, he remains hopeful that with more work experience, he will qualify in the coming years.”
Similarly, Dubai resident Ananya Sharma who is now studying at the University of Toronto stressed that as Canada tightens regulations on international student admissions, prospective students — especially those from the UAE — must navigate an increasingly competitive landscape.
The UofT Rotman Commerce, Management Specialist (Marketing & Data Science), Economics Minor, said, “I think when you talk about a potential cap affecting international students you have to look at the situation holistically. Canadian higher education is deeply dependent on international student tuition. The number of international students coming in especially in the recent years at the university level has been growing very quickly. Some institutions, particularly unregulated ones, issued an overwhelming number of admission letters, straining IRCC’s capacity to process study permit applications. The strain of that could be felt in housing, healthcare and in the job market. So, there is more competition across a lot of industries and ripple effects were felt. Therefore, tightening the number of students that come in is a very real issue. But it goes without saying that admission is going to become a lot more competitive now.”
She added, “Chances of students getting a study permit will depend on factors like their chosen program, the university that they are applying to and their ability to meet the newer requirements. So, overall being more proactive with the entire process and making sure that students have all their documents ahead of time should help them succeed more.”
© Khaleej Times
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