Examining the Impact of Canadian Immigration Policy Changes on International Postsecondary Students

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32674/kndqga94

Keywords:

International students, Canadian immigration policy, neoliberalism in higher education, capability approach, educational equity

Abstract

This article examines the repercussions of recent changes to Canadian immigration policy on international students. It highlights how the changes disproportionately affect some of the most vulnerable student populations, including mature students and their families, students with disabilities, and students at risk of academic failure. Moreover, the new regulations significantly restrict international students’ mobility rights within Canada, further complicating their ability to access educational and professional opportunities. Finally, the cancellation of some expedited study permit programs for specific countries has disproportionately affected applicants from the Global South, especially those from the least-developed economies, hindering their educational and career prospects. In response, this paper presents policy recommendations designed to ensure that higher education frameworks respond to the voices of the most disadvantaged students. By advocating for certain reforms, this study seeks to promote equity, justice, and meritocracy in international education, with a view to an academic environment where all students can thrive.

Author Biographies

  • Oleg Legusov, Seneca Polytechnic, Canada

    OLEG LEGUSOV, PhD, is an International Student Advisor at Seneca Polytechnic, Canada. His research explores the international student journey, from the decision to study abroad to achieve educational, career, and immigration goals, with a particular focus on mental health, resilience, and well-being.

    Email: oleg.legusov@senecapolytechnic.ca

  • Melinda Meng, Seneca Polytechnic, Canada

    MELINDA MENG, M.Ed., is a student recruitment officer at Seneca Polytechnic, Canada, with over eight years of experience in immigration advising, student services, and recruitment. Her professional and academic research focuses on international education and immigration, particularly how immigration and education policies shape international student experiences and inform the practice of those who support them, with an emphasis on student integration, employment, and success in Canadian postsecondary education.

  • Shiyue Zhang, Humber Polytechnic, Canada

    SHI YUE ZHANG, M.Ed., is an international student advisor and immigration specialist at Humber Polytechnic, Canada, and a licensed RCIC. With over seven years of experience in immigration law, her research examines immigration policy and regulatory changes, with particular attention given to their impacts on international student experiences, outcomes, and institutional practices in Canadian higher education. 

  • Hayfa Jafar, American University of Iraq, Baghdad

    HAYFA JAFAR, PhD, is an accomplished expert in Institutional Effectiveness and Institutional Research, with extensive experience advancing quality assurance and evidence-based decision-making in higher education. She specializes in comparative research methodologies, and her research interests include international student mobility, the labor market outcomes of internationally educated graduates, and the social impact of universities within their local and global contexts

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Published

2026-02-23

Issue

2026: Online First: Journal of International Students

Section

Critical Perspectives on Immigration Policies

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How to Cite

Legusov, O., Meng, M., Zhang, S., & Jafar, H. (2026). Examining the Impact of Canadian Immigration Policy Changes on International Postsecondary Students. Journal of International Students, 17-36. https://doi.org/10.32674/kndqga94