Decrease for Languages Canada schools in 2024 as visa policy bites

Headline data: The Canada’s Official Languages Programs 2024 – Annual Survey Report released this week by Languages Canada shows that there were 92,529 international students enrolled at member schools in 2024, a decrease following two years of post-Covid recovery.

This is down compared with 112,564 students in 2023, a year that represented a 75 per cent recovery rate against pre-Covid 2019 numbers.

Meanwhile, there were 974,710 student weeks delivered in 2024, a decrease of 19 per cent compared with the previous year, based on schools that contributed to both surveys. The average course duration was 10.5 weeks, down from 11 weeks in 2024.

Student weeks and numbers at LC schools, 2020-2024. Source – Languages Canada/Bonard.

The English language teaching sector decreased by 17 per cent in student numbers, the association added.

Languages Canada / Languages Canada attributed the decline in 2024 to the introduction of a study permit cap by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (IRCC) in January 2024, visa processing delays through the year, and ongoing uncertainty around shifting immigration policies.

The report showed the language-to-post-secondary pathway programs – which would typically require a study permit – decreased by 56 per cent in 2024, mostly driven by drops from China and Japan, traditionally the largest sources in this segment. In some provinces, there was limited access for private language providers to Provincial Attestation Letters (PALs), which are now required for study permit applications.

Uncertainty surrounding Canada as a destination due to frequent IRCC policy changes was the top issue faced by LC members, cited by 82 per cent of respondents to the survey.

“The report highlights that frequent changes to immigration policies and study permit caps are undermining Canada’s attractiveness as a study destination. For language programs to thrive, and for Canada to remain competitive in the global education market, federal policies must recognize the strategic role of official languages education as a foundation for student success and productivity, a driver of economic growth and jobs, and an essential factor in fostering Canada’s bilingual identity and national unity,” the association said.

However, there was a more positive picture for French language programs, which had a 14 per cent increase in student numbers to 7,802 and a 43 per cent rise in student weeks to 83,116, largely attributed to Canada’s push to increase French-speaking immigration.

Source countries: Japan remained the largest source country for Languages Canada members despite a two per cent decrease to 13,783 students, followed by Brazil, which was down by 13 per cent to 10,685 students.

The top five was completed by Mexico (9,026 students, -33 per cent); South Korea (8,446 students, + eight per cent); and China (7,002 students, -21 per cent).

Two of the most significant growth markets were India (+63 per cent) and Saudi Arabia (+67), but there were substantial declines from Colombia (-34), Chile (-39), Peru (-35) and Venezuela (-34).

In 2024, Asia (42 per cent of students) surpassed South America (33 per cent) as the leading source region, although this was due to a larger decrease from South America (-28 per cent), rather than growth. Europe accounted for 10 per cent of students.

Recruitment channels: Agents provided for 63 per cent of students overall – an identical ratio to the previous year – and 69 per cent at private institutions.

Challenges: As well as the IRCC policy changes mentioned above, other issues faced by the sector included visa processing times and difficulties applying for visas (65 per cent) and visa refusals (50).

Visa refusals: China was the market with the highest number of visa denials for LC members on 2,527, followed by Brazil (434), Mexico (361), Colombia (350) and Vietnam (344).

Visa type: Visitors (no visa required) accounted for 37 per cent of students in 2024, followed by Temporary Resident Visa holders on 26 per cent, with this category increasing by 18 per cent over the previous year. This was followed by study permit holders on 19 per cent. The remainder of students were Canadian citizens (six) or permanent residents in Canada (eight).

Course type: General English/French remained comfortably the most popular course type, representing 76 per cent of enrolments, up from 71 per cent in the previous year. However, pathway programs accounted for only eight per cent. There was a 16 per cent increase in summer/winter camps, and these accounted for eight per cent of all bookings.

Regions: LC member schools in Ontario hosted 44 per cent of students enrolled in 2024, followed by British Columbia (32) and Quebec (13).

Gonzalo Peralta, Languages Canada.

Value: The association said that students at member schools in 2024 generated CAN$1,04 billion in direct economic activity, through tuition, accommodation and living expenses – a 13 per cent decline compared with the previous year.

“Canada’s official languages education sector is not only an engine for economic growth but also a pillar of our cultural diplomacy and inclusion strategy,” said Gonzalo Peralta , Executive Director of Languages Canada. “This report reveals both the strengths and vulnerabilities of the sector, and the urgent need for stable, coordinated policies to support its continued success.”

In the executive summary of the report, Gonzalo added that in a year marked by policy shifts and intensified global competition “members remained steadfast in their mission to deliver high-quality programs”.

Languages Canada represents 170 accredited English and French language providers in both the public and the private sectors.