Toronto/CMEDIA: Resonding to reportedly the federal government of Canada’s decision to further decrease the number of international students permitted to study in Canada, Ontario is prioritizing public postsecondary programs to facilitate preparing graduates for in-demand jobs that support Ontario’s labour market needs.
“Our government is laser focused on ensuring students in Ontario receive the skills they need to succeed in province’s labour market needs…we remain steadfast in working with our colleges and universities to deliver an excellent education throughout Ontario,” Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges and Universities has said.
Ontario has received 181,590 applications for 2025, which is anticipated to result in 116,740 student permits intending to study at Ontario’s institutions. Of the 181,590 applications, 32,579 have been reserved for master’s and doctoral degree programs.
96 percent of the allocations would go to publicly assisted colleges and universities, and Ontario’s language schools, private universities and other institutions would receive the remaining four percent.
While all public institutions will receive at least the same number of applications as they used in 2024, career colleges will not receive any applications.
As per the federal government’s announcement, applications for master’s and doctoral students and students extending their study visas by transitioning from an Ontario high school in its 2025 allocation would also be included by the province. a change from the 2024 allocation requirements.
Ontario’s list of high-priority labour market areas has been updated to ensure alignment of enrolment with programs eligible for federal post-graduation work permits, such as the skilled trades, health human resources, STEM, child-care and French-language programs.
Continuing to work with the federal government, Ontario would be able to better align eligibility with its post-graduation work permits with additional key in-demand industries including hospitality, manufacturing, automotive and dentistry.
While continuing to protect the integrity of the postsecondary education system. the government would work alongside the sector to ensure the province attracts the best and brightest international students to Ontario.
- the cap and provincial attestation letter (PAL) requirement applies effective Jan 22, 2025 to individuals applying to master’s and doctoral degree programs, as well as study permit extensions for students changing designated learning institutions, including in-Canada grade 12 international students entering into Ontario’s postsecondary education system.
- In comparison, in 2024, Ontario was allocated 235,000 applications, with a target of 141,000 approved study permits, with master’s and doctoral students exempt.
- Changes to the International Student Program for 2024 and 2025 have been announced throughout 2024 byImmigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada , including a cap on the number of study permits issued to international students, and post-graduation work permit eligibility.
- In order to acquire an attestation letter to study in Ontario, students should contact their admissions office at the Ontario postsecondary institution where they have accepted their offer of admission and intend to enrol.
- Students can also visit the ministry website for more information.
