World Immigration News

Canada’s study permits down 60% amid immigration overhaul

Release Date: 2025-10-24
Media: THE PIE
Summary: New data from IRCC shows that international student arrivals in Canada fell by about 60% in the first eight months of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, putting the government far short of its annual goal of issuing 437,000 study permits. The total number of study permit holders dropped 21% to about 802,000 — the lowest level since 2021.

The Carney government framed the decline as a “success” in reducing Canada’s temporary resident (TR) population, which has decreased by 22% since last year. Ottawa aims to bring the TR population below 5% by the end of 2027 and is expected to maintain tight controls on new study and work permit approvals for several years.

Education stakeholders, however, are calling for greater transparency, warning that universities and colleges planned their budgets based on the earlier 10% cap reduction. Immigration consultant Matthew McDonald said the data release was a “test” to see whether the public accepts the message that immigration is under control.

Meanwhile, the Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE) urged the government to relaunch a national International Education Strategy, stressing that international students contributed nearly CA$40 billion to Canada’s economy in 2022, helped fill labour gaps, and strengthened Canada’s global influence through cultural exchange.
Tags: Canada

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