B.C. post-secondary institutions are experiencing a surge in international student interest fuelled by stricter immigration policies in the U.S.
But it’s an opportunity colleges and universities are struggling to seize due to Canada’s foreign student restrictions and long processing times for visas.
“We have seen an increase in applicants from the U.S. for fall 2025,” said Zena Mitchell, vice-president of students at Kwantlen Polytechnic University in an emailed response. However, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) processing times and an increased proportion of study permit denials remain a barrier to enrolling international students, she said.
KPU has experienced a 31.2-per-cent decline in undergraduate and graduate international student numbers, to
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