CIMM – Response to Question Q-2753 – November 25, 2024

Inquiry of Ministry

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Question NO.: Q-2753

By: Mr. Kmiec (Calgary Shepard)

Date: June 3, 2024

Reply by the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

Paul Chiang, M.P.

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Minister or Parliamentary Secretary

Question

With regard to visas for international students in Canada: how many international students (i) are currently studying in Canada, (ii) are studying at institutions accredited by Universities Canada, (iii) are studying at institutions that are members of the National Association of Career Colleges, (iv) have transferred institutions within Canada during their period of study, (v) are in a K-12 program?

Reply:

Original text: X

Insofar as Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is concerned:

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) manages the International Student Program and is responsible for issuing study permits to foreign nationals seeking to study in Canada. While IRCC tracks the total number of study permit holders, in the absence of an exit control system, it is not guaranteed that all of these study permit holders are currently residing in Canada as international students can leave the country at any point in time after arrival.

Here is the information that IRCC is able to share:

1. On May 31, 2024, 1,073,435 study permit holders held a valid permit to study in Canada.
2. 341,531 of these study permit holders were studying at institutions accredited by Universities Canada.
3. This data is not tracked by IRCC.
4. This information is not recorded in IRCC's database and, therefore, we will not be able to provide the requested information based on the data available to us.
5. 159,055 of the above-mentioned study permit holders in section (i) are at the K-12 level study level.