Statistics from the immigration department show that as of May 2023, over one million foreign students were in Canada.
Ottawa: With nearly five million temporary permits set to expire by the end of 2025, Canadian immigration authorities are expecting most holders to leave voluntarily, Immigration Minister Marc Miller told the Commons immigration committee earlier this week.
Of the expiring permits, 766,000 belong to international students, a group facing mounting challenges due to recent policy shifts. Conservative MP Tom Kmiec asked how the government would ensure compliance, noting the sheer scale of expiring visas. Miller assured the committee that monitoring mechanisms, including the Canada Border Services Agency, are in place to investigate and address violations.
However, not all temporary residents will be required to leave. “Some will receive renewals or postgraduate work permits,” Miller said. Such permits, typically issued for nine months to three years, allow foreign students with Canadian diplomas or degrees to gain work experience needed for permanent residency applications.
