International Student Enrollment Declines in British Columbia’s Colleges

International students are increasingly choosing not to enroll in British Columbia’s post-secondary institutions as the province prepares for the fall 2025 semester. After significant changes to federal immigration policies, institutions are reporting a steep decline in international student applications. Among the 25 public post-secondary institutions in British Columbia, only two—University of British Columbia and University of Victoria—indicated they would meet their international student enrollment targets for the upcoming semester.

Responses from the institutions reveal a troubling trend. The British Columbia Institute of Technology noted it had not yet filled its international student quota but remained optimistic about meeting it. Conversely, 11 other institutions, including Kwantlen Polytechnic University and College of New Caledonia, reported they would not welcome as many international students as they could have. Five institutions, including Simon Fraser University and University of Northern British Columbia, stated it was too early to determine their enrollment numbers, as deadlines had not yet passed.

The Hollyhock Leadership Institute recently had a profound impact on student Shelby Cole, who stated, “It expanded the way I think about movement work.” However, such experiences may become less accessible if international student numbers continue to dwindle.

Impact of Federal Policy Changes

The drop in applications follows the federal government’s announcement of a cap on international student permits nearly two years ago. The new regulations impose stricter requirements, including a significant increase in the financial resources international students must demonstrate before applying. Previously, students needed to show they had access to $10,000 in addition to their tuition fees. Now, that requirement has increased to over $22,000.

Changes to the immigration process also contribute to the decline. International students must now obtain a provincial attestation letter (PAL) to apply for study permits, which can take months to process. Consequently, many students who receive their PALs may not receive their study permits in time for classes, forcing them to defer or abandon their studies.

According to a spokesperson for Okanagan College, “New international student applications for the 2025 fall semester have declined significantly compared to 2024 and 2023.” They expressed doubt that the college would utilize all the PALs allocated for the year.

This issue extends beyond British Columbia. Recent data from Universities Canada indicates that international student enrollment has dropped below the government’s reduced study permit numbers across the country.

Economic Consequences and Future Prospects

The financial implications of this decline are substantial. International students pay full tuition rates, which are significantly higher than those for domestic students. For example, during the 2022-23 academic year, the average tuition for international students was $32,909 per semester, representing a staggering 426 percent increase over domestic tuition rates.

Historically, international students contributed nearly half of the total tuition revenue for British Columbia’s post-secondary institutions, despite accounting for only 20 percent of the student population. As provincial funding for these institutions has decreased—from 68 percent of overall revenue in 2000 to just 40 percent today—many schools have increasingly relied on international tuition to sustain their operations.

The broader economic impact is also significant. In 2022, international students contributed an estimated $7.5 billion to British Columbia’s economy, supporting approximately 80,000 jobs and adding $5.7 billion to the province’s gross domestic product. Many international students engage in part-time work while studying, bolstering local economies.

The changes in immigration policy have also affected international students’ ability to bring family members who could work in Canada. Since January, work permits have been restricted to spouses of students enrolled in graduate and doctoral programs lasting at least 16 months.

As Laurie Waye, president of Coast Mountain College, emphasized, “International students not only bring revenue but also increase program options, especially in sparsely populated regions.” Waye expressed concern that without sufficient international enrollment, many job openings in fields like construction, health care, and early childhood education may remain unfilled.

In response to the challenges facing the international student program, both Waye and Phil Ollenberg, an associate faculty member at Royal Roads University, have called for the federal government to better align policy changes with local economic needs. They argue that increased consultation with provincial authorities is essential to creating a sustainable international student framework.

The federal government has acknowledged the challenges posed by rapid growth in international student numbers and overall immigration. In a statement, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada defended its recent policy changes, stating they aim to balance immigration with the country’s long-term economic needs and labour market demands.

As British Columbia faces a projected one million job openings over the next decade, the decline in international student enrollment could have lasting consequences for the province’s economy and workforce. Waye remarked, “If Canada continues to be considered less of a desirable study option, we could see a significant impact on the availability of local daycares and other essential services.”

The situation remains fluid as institutions and policymakers seek solutions to enhance the international student experience and restore Canada’s reputation as a top destination for education.