French proficiency level required for TEF & Canadian PR
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The Canadian government just announced that they’ll be cutting down the number of international student study permits by 10% in 2024. Originally, they had a target of 4,85,000 permits, but now they’ll be issuing 4,37,000 only. By 2026, they plan to keep the cap steady, the same as in 2025.
In a joint press conference held this week, immigration minister Marc Miller shared a bunch of updates to Canada’s immigration system, particularly about the international student program. Here’s a breakdown of the changes:
- Starting 2025, study permits for master’s and PhD students will be included in the intake cap, which wasn’t the case before.
- Everyone applying for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) will need to show they can speak French or English.
- The PGWP program will be adjusted to better fit immigration goals and the needs of the job market.
- Spouses of master’s degree students can only apply for a work permit if the student’s program is at least 16 months long.
- Work permits for spouses of foreign workers will be restricted to those in management or professional jobs or sectors facing labor shortages.
The government plans to set aside about 12% of study permits for master’s and PhD students, acknowledging the value they bring to the Canadian workforce.
Miller emphasized that Canada’s immigration system is tightening up: “Not everyone who wants to come to Canada will be able to, just like not everyone who wants to stay will be able to.” He added that they’re working to make the system more manageable and sustainable.
The cap on international students, which began in January 2024 as a temporary two-year measure, will now be permanent. Miller highlighted that the number of temporary residents in Canada has surged—from 437,000 in 2019 to 1.2 million in 2023—and that comes with consequences. The government is aiming to reduce the number of temporary residents from 6.5% of the population to 5%, which will be reflected in the 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan, due out in November 2024.
