Indian students experienced the sharpest decline.
“Canada’s Study Permit Reductions Continue in 2025; Indian Student Numbers Nearly Halved”
Canada significantly reduced the intake of international students in 2025 as part of its ongoing efforts to better manage the temporary resident population. Data released by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) shows that 383,905 study permits were issued in 2025, down 25 per cent from 514,915 in 2024. In 2023, the total stood at 680,795. The 2025 intake marks the lowest level since 2018, when 354,260 permits were granted.
Indian students experienced the sharpest decline. Study permits issued to Indian nationals dropped from 188,715 in 2024 to 94,605 in 2025, almost a 50 per cent decrease. New student arrivals in 2025 were also 61 per cent lower than the previous year.
The Canadian government introduced several measures to control student growth and strengthen system integrity. These include a cap on international student numbers, stricter verification of acceptance letters to prevent fraud, and higher financial requirements for applicants. Authorities have also linked the changes to concerns about housing shortages, pressure on public services, and infrastructure capacity.
IRCC stated that the cap, first applied in 2024, has helped reduce the temporary resident population from over one million in January 2024 to about 725,000 by September 2025. The government plans further reductions, targeting lower student numbers through 2027 and 2028 as part of its broader immigration strategy.
Source: The Tribune (with data from IRCC)
