Exploring the impact of recent immigration policy changes on international students
| dc.contributor.author | Sarwar, Shanzae | |
| dc.contributor.supervisor | Piñán, Astrid V. Pérez | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2025-09-04T20:20:50Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2025-09-04T20:20:50Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2025 | |
| dc.degree.department | School of Public Administration | |
| dc.degree.level | Master of Public Administration MPA | |
| dc.description.abstract | Amid concerns about the unsustainable growth of international students in Canada and the subsequent pressures on housing, the federal government introduced several changes to immigration policies to address these issues. Some of these changes include a cap on study permits, restrictions on the eligibility for work permits, and decreased permanent residency targets. This study uses a case study approach based on the University of Victoria to explore how these changes have impacted the lived experiences of international students. Guided by Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis based on semi-structured interviews with 14 undergraduate and graduate international students, findings show that while these policy reforms aimed to improve the integrity of the international student program and alleviate housing pressures, they have also produced various challenges for international students who arrived under earlier policies with the intention to settle in Canada. These immigration reforms reflect a complex wicked issue involving competing priorities among multiple groups, including various levels of government that are responding to economic pressures, post-secondary institutions that are reliant on international student revenue, and international students navigating uncertainty about their futures in Canada. The findings highlight the complex and multifaceted impacts of immigration policies on international students, emphasizing the importance of culturally responsive support services and timely, transparent, and accessible communication about policy changes to support them in making informed decisions about their futures. | |
| dc.description.scholarlevel | Graduate | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://hdl.handle.net/1828/22717 | |
| dc.language | English | eng |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.rights | Available to the World Wide Web | |
| dc.subject | International students | |
| dc.subject | case study | |
| dc.subject | immigration policy | |
| dc.subject | lived experiences | |
| dc.subject | support services | |
| dc.title | Exploring the impact of recent immigration policy changes on international students | |
| dc.type | Thesis |