A major decision that will affect international students applying for visas for the next academic year was made by Nova Scotia. During the province budget debate in the Province House, it was disclosed that the grant for overseas students in Nova Scotia has been cut by thirty-three percent.

Key Changes in Visa Allocation

Minister of Advanced Education Brian Wong said during the discussion that Nova Scotia will only accept 12,900 applications from overseas students for the 2024–2025 academic year. This represents a significant decrease of 7,000 study visa applications over the prior year.

A variety of educational establishments, such as universities, NSCC, private career colleges, and language schools, will split the allotment. This choice is in line with Ottawa's instruction to cut the number of applications from overseas students by 35% nationwide.

Under the direction of IRCC Minister Marc Miller, the federal government has placed a two-year temporary cap on applications for international study permits, beginning in 2024. This cap is anticipated to lead to about 360,000 study permits being approved. Population-weighted caps have been imposed on each province and territory to combat excessive growth in specific areas.

Implications for Nova Scotia

Minister Wong's announcement sheds light on how the federal government distributes funds to the provinces, which affects the designated learning institutes (DLIs) in Nova Scotia. The 12,900 quota will be shared by all DLIs in the province, however, the precise mechanism of distribution among the institutions is still unknown. DLIs must complete their allocations by the end of the month.

14,500 international students were admitted to Nova Scotian universities during the previous academic year, making up a portion of the country's total enrollment of over a million international students. The decrease in the visa allotment highlights the difficulties that international students intending to study in Nova Scotia will have.

Enhancing the International Student Program

Amid these developments, Canada has put in place several initiatives to assist overseas students. To lessen student vulnerability and exploitation, updates to the cost-of-living criteria are intended to accurately represent the genuine costs of living in Canada.

It is now mandatory for post-secondary DLIs to verify with IRCC each acceptance letter that applicants from outside Canada submit. Furthermore, specific pilot programmes are scheduled to begin in 2024 to support international student cohorts that are underrepresented in Canada while they pursue their education.

Students and academic institutions must both manage these changes and respond to the changing landscape of foreign education in Canada as Nova Scotia modifies its authorization for international student visas.

FAQS

How will Nova Scotia's educational institutions divide up the 12,900 applications from overseas students?

The precise mechanism of distribution among schools is still unknown, although all of Nova Scotia's designated learning institutions (DLIs) will split the 12,900 quota. DLIs must complete their allocations by the end of the month.

What kind of assistance programmes are offered to overseas students in the middle of these adjustments?

To support underrepresented cohorts of overseas students in continuing their education, Canada is preparing focused pilots in 2024, in addition to adjustments to the cost-of-living requirement and improved confirmation procedures for letters of acceptance.