Page 48 - StudyTravel Magazine October 2025 Issue

CANADA

MARKET ANALYSIS

Canadian ELT providers have been
grappling with the negative
perceptions created by a raft of
government policy changes relating
to international student intake,
as Nicola Hancox reports.

LANGUAGE

fter two years of post-Covid “The main challenges are overcom- stay present in the global market
recovery, Languages Canada ing the many changes brought on by space with one resounding message
A— the national association the Canadian government’s changes for prospective international students:
for English and French language to the international student program,” You are welcome here in Canada, in

education — reported a drop in reflects Robin Adams, President of CES our classrooms and communities,
international student enrolments at North America. “The challenges range and Languages Canada members are
member schools, down from 112,564 in from fighting negative perceptions to committed to delivering a top quality

2023 to 92,529 in 2024. these changes to a reduced number of learning experience!”
According to the full-year data students that private institutions are Interestingly, demand from
released by the association in July, allowed to bring into the country.” visa-exempt markets continued to
English language teaching members In addition, policy nuances are grow last year, according to LC data.
(representing 92 per cent of total not well understood by agents or Thirty-seven per cent of students
enrolments) were the most affected, prospective students, stresses Robin, studying at a LC member school were

with student numbers falling by 17 per and this is where confusion can arise. classed as Visitors (no visa required)
cent. In contrast, French language “The fact that student visas are not in 2024. A further 26 per cent entered
teaching members (representing the required for students wishing to come Canada on a Temporary Resident Visa
remaining eight per cent) saw a 14 for shorter than 24 weeks to Canada is (TRV), up from 22 per cent previously.
per cent rise in enrolments and a 43 not always understood, and there can “Most language students come to
per cent increase in student weeks be a misunderstanding of what is and Canada on a TRV (commonly known as
last year, largely thanks to several is not possible.” a Tourist Visa) or on an eTA (electronic
government-backed initiatives In an interview with Languages travel authorisation),” says Rachel,
designed to support French-language Canada earlier this year, Rachel with more than 40 countries on the

post-secondary education. Lindsey, Director, International Affairs list of eTA eligible travellers. Only 19
Languages Canada said the report and Operations, warned that the pace per cent of students at a LC member
highlights how frequent immigration of change of immigration policies school held a study permit last year,
policy changes and the study permit during 2024, and the uncertainty this down slightly from 2023 figures. This

caps have diminished Canada’s appeal created, would have a reputational suggests some students could be
as a study destination. The associa- impact, and she stressed the impor- opting for shorter programs that do
tion added that to ensure language tance of clarity. “The best we can not require a permit, while others

member programs flourish and Canada do is help to provide our members, may have been discouraged by the
stays competitive in the global educa- their agent partners, and prospective application process and/or
tion market, federal policies need to students with the most up-to-date potential delays.
acknowledge the strategic importance information available to help them As expected, the reinstate-
of official languages education. navigate the changes, and for LC to ment of TRV requirements for

OCTOBER 2025 45