Dear Mr Brown,

I heard that Canada will now only be approving study permits for trusted schools. I would like to know which school would be best to apply for.

—APM

Dear APM:

The Government of Canada will modernise Canadian Immigration’s International Student Programme by establishing a two-tiered structure for Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs), in which some DLIs will be designated as trusted institutions (TIs).

Designated Learning Institutions

Any Canadian institution receiving international students must be classified as a DLI, which signifies that they are approved by their respective provincial or territorial government to host international students. International students must have an acceptance letter from a DLI in order to apply for a Canadian study permit.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) new framework will establish a two-tiered structure among Canada’s DLIs, where some will be classed as TI, and some will not.

IRCC will implement the new model by 2024.

Trusted institutions

Post-secondary institutions would be assessed against criteria that demonstrates that:

• They are reliable partners with regard to sustainable intake

• Identifying genuine students

• Monitoring and reporting on their compliance

• Providing a safe and enriching experience for their international students

The TI framework will rely on two main categories of data. Some data will be drawn from IRCC’s own records and other Government of Canada sources, including study permit approval rates, country of origin, and postgraduation student outcomes such as transition to postgraduate work permits or other IRCC programmes.

DLIs will also be required to participate in a new reporting scheme, sharing additional data with IRCC. This data will include metrics such as international student retention rates, on-time programme completion rates, the proportion of revenue generated from international tuitions, institutional spending on international student support services, availability of institution-managed housing, and teacher-student ratios.

Institutions that meet a certain threshold for such criteria would be designated as TIs. While the full implications of the distinction are yet to be announced, the IRCC has stated that applicants to TIs will receive expedited and streamlined visa processing.

The effort would also address the concerns regarding access to housing for visiting students and even discussion of a cap on international student numbers in Canada. This would also work to enhance the efficiency of the application process but also bolsters the reputation of recognised institutions within the international student community.

Possible cap on study permits?

In the meantime, Canada’s Minister of Housing Sean Fraser and Minister of Immigration Marc Miller said recently that the government may need to consider caps on the number of international students in Canada.

The minister’s remarks come amid growing concern about access to affordable housing in Canada, and within a growing conversation about the need for Canadian institutions to play a greater role in ensuring adequate housing for the students they attract.

Please visit JAMAICA2CANADA.COM for additional information on Canadian Permanent Residence programs, including Express Entry, The Study & Work program, Visas or Appeals, etc.

Antonn Brown, BA, (Hons), LLB, MSc, RCIC, is an immigration counsel and an accredited Canadian education agent of JAMAICA2CANADA.COM — a Canadian immigration & education firm in Kingston, and AfriCanadaServices.com in Abuja, Nigeria. Send questions/comments to documents.jamaica2canadagmail.com