By Jerry Zhang
Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) international student communities are expressing growing concerns regarding a further reduction in study permits and stricter regulations on post-graduation work permits (PGWP) as of Sept. 18.
Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) Marc Miller announced another 10 per cent reduction in international student permits for 2025, following a 35 per cent cut in 2024, as previously reported by The Eyeopener.
A press release from the announcement reads that, following the cap, the number of study permits will stabilize at 437,000 in 2026, compared to 485,000 in 2024.
Miller stated that the PGWP program would be further reviewed to better align with Canada’s immigration goals and labour market demands.
These changes are part of the federal government’s plan to reduce temporary residents from 6.5 per cent to five per cent of Canada’s population by 2026, citing a “softening labour market” post-pandemic according to an announcement Miller made in March 2024.
Thelepan Karunanithi, a master of engineering student at TMU, expressed feelings of uncertainty regarding the changes because the IRCC has not been clear about its intentions. However, as a master’s student, he feels more optimistic about securing a job.
“With the right job skills [and] if you meet the requirements, they’re gonna hire us, I think so,” he said.
The “right job skills,” as Karunanithi said, are ones that the IRCC targets for sectors experiencing long-term labour shortages, particularly in fields such as technology, engineering, healthcare, agriculture, transport and skilled trades.
Bardia Shirasalimian, an international student from Iran in his second year of computer science at TMU, raised concerns about the ambivalence surrounding the PGWP program.
“After four years, you don’t know…will you get the work permit? Will you get the job in this market,” he said. Shirasalimian described the situation as “a 50–50″ gamble for many international students in Canada.
Under the updated PGWP program, university graduates must meet a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level seven in English or French, while college graduates must meet CLB level five to qualify for work permits, according to the press release.
These benchmarks are measured through standardized language tests such as the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP), which students are required to pay for themselves as outlined by the IRCC.
Natsumi Yoshida, an international student from Japan completing her master of arts in film and photography preservation and collections management, said her decision to stay in Canada depends on job opportunities.
“If I can find a job in Canada, maybe I will stay,” she said. She noted that the potential increase in work hours from 20 to 24 per week offers minimal financial relief. “It’s not a big difference,” said Yoshida.
Yoshida is concerned about the impact of study permit caps on campus diversity and said, “It sounds like Canada is trying to make a huge barrier for international students.”
TMU President Mohamed Lachemi confirmed international student applications have decreased due to the recent study permit cut. “The number of applications because of the changes has definitely decreased,” he said in an interview with The Eyeopener. Lachemi said that final enrollment figures for the current year will not be available until November.
He expressed personal concern about the impact of the changes on international students, adding his own experience when immigrating from Algeria. “As a former international student myself, this issue is very important to me.”
Lachemi stated TMU’s commitment to supporting its international students.
“Our university is fully committed to supporting our international student community,” he said. “We are here to address any concerns that they may have regarding future prospects in Canada, particularly given the recent changes surrounding visa policies.”
Shirasalimian expressed that the challenges international students are facing with the job market are unfair.
“It’s not their fault that they’re accepted into university…they came here to have a better future and change their life.”
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