Canada to reduce study permits for international students. Latest Updates and Why?

The number of study permits for international students planning to study in Canada is set to decrease, which may negatively impact Indian students aspiring to pursue higher education in the country.

According to a recent report by Forbes, many Indian students have been choosing Canadian universities over US universities due to Canada’s attractive immigration policies.

The NFAP report further stated that Indians immigrating to Canada rose from 32,828 to 139,715, indicating an increase of 326%.

However, the latest notice by the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced a 10% reduction from 485,000 to 437,000 in study permits for international students in 2025, aiming to maintain the same intake cap in 2026 as in 2025.

Additionally, the IRCC has introduced measures such as updating the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program and imposing restrictions on work permit eligibility for spouses of students and foreign workers.

Apart from this, the IRCC has also introduced other measures which are as follows:

Updating the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program from fall this year to better align with immigration goals and labour market needs.
Limit work permit eligibility, later this year, to spouses of master’s degree students to only those whose program is at least 16 months in duration.
Limit work permit eligibility later this year to spouses of foreign workers in management or professional occupations or sectors with labour shortages—under Canada’s work permit programs (TFWP and IMP).

The official notice read, “Earlier this year, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada announced a decrease in the number of temporary residents—from 6.5% of Canada’s total population down to 5% by 2026.

It further added, “The proposed reduction of temporary residents from 6.5% of Canada’s total population to 5% will be reflected in the 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan, which will be released by November 1, 2024.”

These changes are part of the government’s efforts to decrease the number of temporary residents in Canada and hold employers more accountable.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also announced a significant reduction in international student permits, which may have a detrimental impact on aspiring students.

Meanwhile, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took to X (formerly Twitter) wherein he wrote, “We’re granting 35% fewer international student permits this year. And next year, that number’s going down by another 10%.”