Pathway promises and policy realities : Lessons from the International Student Reset of Canada

In 2019, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) described Canada as “a role model for successful migration management,” praised for “swift policy reaction to new evidence and emerging challenges.” However, in the international student immigration stream, post-COVID-19 intake growth outpaced the governing frameworks designed to manage it. This mismatch weakened public support for immigration and ultimately prompted the country’s first-ever cap on international students in 2024. This article identifies four interconnected failures in the international student policy environment of Canada during this period and outlines lessons for policymakers seeking to design viable and sustainable international student–immigration pathways.