Ont. focusing international student applications towards supporting labour market needs
by CM Staff
International students may apply for a post-graduation work permit after graduating from an eligible designated learning institution (DLI) in Canada.
TORONTO — In response to the federal government’s cap on the number of international student study permit applications over the next two years, Ontario is prioritizing public postsecondary programs that will help prepare graduates for in-demand jobs that support Ontario’s labour market needs.
“We are protecting the integrity of our province’s postsecondary education system by attracting the best and brightest international students to Ontario to study in areas that are critical to our economy,” said Jill Dunlop, Minister of Colleges and Universities. “We have been working with postsecondary institutions to ensure international students are enrolled in the programs to support a pipeline of graduates for in-demand jobs.”
Ontario will allocate 96 per cent of permit applications to publicly assisted colleges and universities, with the remaining four per cent allotted to Ontario’s language schools, private universities and other institutions. Career colleges will not receive any applications.
Applications will be allocated to institutions based on the following criteria:
- Prioritize programs in the following high-demand areas, including skilled trades, health human resources, STEM, hospitality and child care.
- Cannot exceed the institution’s 2023 permit levels.
- As a final backstop, the ratio of international permits cannot exceed 55 per cent (exclusive of high-demand areas) of the institution’s 2023 first-year domestic enrolment.
French-language enrolment will also be prioritized as employers compete for workers with French-language skills. The government says they will work with colleges and universities to support them in standing up and transitioning to programming that is aligned with labour market needs and support Ontario’s economic growth.
International students may apply for a post-graduation work permit after graduating from an eligible designated learning institution (DLI) in Canada. Ontario approves DLIs under the joint provincial-federal International Student Program. DLIs are eligible to enrol international students in programs of study six months in duration or longer on a study permit issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
