As detailed in the latest IRCC visa approval data from January to September 2024, international student visa approvals have declined by 33% compared to the same period in 2023. This decline, coupled with a drop in approval rates from 66% to 61%, signals significant challenges for Canadian institutions. In this edition, we delve into the performance of the top 20 colleges and universities in terms of visa approvals, approval rates, and the broader implications for international student recruitment.
As we discussed in the previous edition of this newsletter, IRCC data from Jan-Sept 2024 shows a 33% in visa approval rates compared to the same period in 2023. Visa approvals also went down globally.
In this edition, we look at specific institutions – too 20 universities and top 20 colleges by visa approvals, their approval rates and change in 2024 as compared to 2023. The latest data on visa approvals reveals a challenging landscape for both universities and colleges across Canada. Declines in international student visa approvals are impacting institutions of all sizes, with some colleges and universities seeing drops as steep as 50% compared to the same period last year (Jan–Sept 2023 vs. Jan–Sept 2024).
Universities:
- Overall, University visa approvals have fallen much less than those of colleges. Visa approval rates for most public universities are also stronger than compared of all institutions. This is in line with a years-long trend of higher visa approval %.
- Universities like the University of Toronto, McGill University and Western University have seen visa approvals drop by 11-12%, while others like the University of Canada West, Algoma University and Cape Breton experienced a much sharper decline.
- French-speaking universities like Université Laval (-30%) and Université de Montréal (-16%) are holding steady compared to others, highlighting the resilience of francophone markets.
- Approval rates remain strong for universities like the University of Toronto (91%) and McGill University (91%), but the overall reduction in numbers signals broader challenges in international student recruitment.
Colleges:
- Colleges are facing even steeper challenges. Leading institutions, such as Conestoga College (-50%), Seneca (-46%), and Centennial College (-49%), have seen significant declines in visa approvals.
- As in previous years, the top 20 Colleges are mostly from Ontario. CSM Montreal, SAIT and Portage College are the exceptions in the list.
- Some colleges, such as Portage College, bucked the trend with a 31% increase in approvals, though this is an outlier in a challenging year for the sector. This is especially noteworthy given the 92% visa approval rate.
- Approval rates at colleges are mixed, with some like Humber College (70%), George Brown (74%), Sheridan College (76%), Canadore (78%), and Cambrian (78%) maintaining relatively high approval rates. In contrast, others, such as Collège Supérieur de Montréal (23%), face critical hurdles. Although a higher approval rate many times also points to higher dependence on high visa approval rate countries like India, China.
The data highlights the evolving challenges in Canadian international education, and this will likely continue for the rest of the year. Institutions have a chance to pivot their strategies, focusing on program realignment, direct engagement, trust-building, and market diversification. The path forward requires resilience, creativity, and a commitment to adapt to the new normal. The challenges are significant, but so too are the opportunities to reshape the narrative and rebuild for the future.
