The Canada Study Permit Processing time 2024 has steadily increased over time reaching about 15 weeks in May from 8 weeks in January. Early spring and late winter are usually peak times for processing applications as students file applications for programs commencing in autumn.
Generally, the volume of applications decreases in April and May resulting in decreased processing times, and again increases in summer.
However, in 2024, the application reviews were halted partially while PAL distribution processes were created by the provinces. This resulted in a shift in processing volumes to later in the year. With the PAL processes being launched through March, the processing times shot up as students who withheld the submission of Study Permit applications chose to submit the applications.
Further processing times also increased in April as a few Provinces such as Ontario did not reopen applications till the March end. The latest data reveals that processing times may be cut down even as an average turnaround in June mid was 12 weeks compared with 15 weeks in May.
However, processing times will likely remain longer than normal in summer even as IRCC tries to clear the backlog. Canadian institutions can share clear communication with overseas student applicants on this to boost their confidence.
Students will have to understand that Canada Study Visa processing is more prolonged than normal and delays do not necessarily reflect the quality of their application or imply getting lost in the process.
Approval Rates for Post-Secondary Canada Study Permit Dip
More than 152,000 Post-Secondary Study Permits were processed by IRCC during January to April 2024. Of these, 76,000 plus applications were approved which is an overall rate of approval of 50%. This is 8% points less than the average in 2023 and 5% points less than the average of 55% in 2025.
The difference in the number of Study Permits processed in 2024 so far and the previous years is quite stark. But it must be noted that processing for all Undergraduate and a few Post-graduate programs was completely paused for a minimum of 1 month.
Further, prolonged Study Permit processing times implied that fewer applications were processed in comparison with the same period in past years.
If approval rates and numbers of applications stay stable all through 2024, the estimated figure of Post-secondary Study Permits is roughly 229,000. This is slightly higher than the overall 217,000 Study Permits approved in 2019.
Nevertheless, the latest cap announced by the Government of Canada for Study Permits is based on a 60% approval rate for 2024 and not the current rate of 50%.
Even as Students, Governments, and Recruiters adapt to the updated processes, it is predicted that student interest rates and rates of approval will rebound through summer and fall. This will make sure that the final statistics for Study Permit approvals in 2024 will more closely align with the cap of 292,000.
Key Takeaways
The early 2024 data demonstrates that policy updates are impacting volumes of Study Permit applications and also processing times. The picture will become clearer in the few months ahead.
The overall scenario will be defined by the number of approvals and their distribution mode even as application processing continues through fall intake, finally shaping Canadian institutions.
Further, institutions have placed limitations in the form of provisional caps on Study Permits. Institutions can find it tempting to offer priority to students from nations that have higher rates of approval historically.
Nevertheless, there is a potential slowdown of interest in Canada among Indian students even while the rates of approval fluctuate in 2024. The balanced approach will be endorsing the acceptance of students from diverse nations in application processing.
Making definite statements will be too early even as our team is observing data to assess the evolution of student markets. A blend of factors may result in declining applications from Indian students.
Primarily, it is becoming tougher to secure student loans in India. Further, Indo-Canadian ties are strained and many high-profile stories in the media may be pausing potential students.
Institutions that incorporate diversity in their process of recruitment will be usually less impacted by the diminished access or interest from a specific nation. They will also develop a learning ambiance wherein an extensive range of perspectives and life experiences can augment everything from research approaches to classroom discussions.
The temporary cap on Canada Study Permit applications will continue to transform the approach of overseas students toward their studies. Notwithstanding the continuous evolution, there exist actual prospects for academic institutions to modernize their processes and become further responsive to the needs of the students.
As the leading name in Immigration and Overseas Careers, Nationwide Visas has facilitated several thousands of students in pursuing their dream of studying abroad. If you are keen to study overseas in top global destinations or Apply for Canada Study Visa, contact our Study Overseas Experts today.
