Federal Government Likely to Miss International Student Admission Goals
Canada’s International Student Admissions Fall Short Amid Policy Shifts
In an unexpected turn for Canada’s educational landscape, the country admitted less than a third of its target number of international students within the first eight months of 2025. From January to August, the federal government issued only 89,430 new study permits, falling significantly short of its annual target of 305,900. This figure represents a mere 29% of the goal set for the year, posing a substantial challenge for the remaining months.
To meet its ambitious target, the government would need to issue an additional 216,470 study permits between September and December, a daunting task considering that the admissions from January to August in 2024 accounted for nearly 76% of that year’s total. This decline in admissions reflects the impact of policy changes implemented throughout 2024 aimed at curbing the number of international students.
These policy adjustments were part of a broader strategy to alleviate pressure on housing and social services and to reduce the temporary resident population to below 5% of Canada’s total population by the end of 2026. Consequently, the period from January to August 2025 saw a 70% decline in international student admissions compared to the same period in the previous year, with 132,505 fewer study permits issued.
Key policy changes included capping study permit applications, restricting post-graduation work permit (PGWP) eligibility, and tightening spousal work permit rules. Notably, eligibility for PGWPs was eliminated for graduates of programs offered through curriculum licensing agreements. Additionally, new requirements were introduced, such as field of study criteria and language tests for PGWP eligibility, affecting all programs except bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs. Spousal open work permits were also limited to spouses of doctoral students, certain master’s students, and students in select professional fields.
In October 2024, the government included temporary resident targets for the first time in its annual Immigration Levels Plan for 2025–2027, setting the 2025 target of 305,900 international student admissions.
While these measures reflect a strategic attempt to balance Canada’s socio-economic needs, they also signal a shift in the country’s approach to international education. As Canada navigates this transition, stakeholders must consider the long-term implications on its global educational standing and the economic contributions of international students. The coming months will be pivotal in determining whether the government can meet its targets and how these policy changes will shape the future of international education in Canada.
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