Canada has announced significant changes to its international student intake for 2025, reducing study permits by 10%. Indian students, who make up a substantial portion of the international student body, will feel the effects of this policy shift.

Canada Reduces Study Permits by 10% from 2025

In a major move affecting thousands of aspiring international students, Canada has announced a 10% reduction in the number of study permit issued for 2025. The new target has been set at 437,000 permits, down from 485,000 in 2024. This reduction follows growing concerns about potential abuses of the immigration system and foreign worker regulations, creating ripple effects across the globe, especially for Indian students.

Indian students, who make up nearly 40% of all international students in Canada, will be most impacted by this policy change. Over the years, Canada has been a top destination for Indian students, with enrolments soaring in Canadian universities. However, with the new cap in place, the path to securing a Canadian education may become more challenging.

Want to Apply for Canada Student Visa? free Consultation from our Experts

Impact on Indian Students

The significant reduction in study permits will likely have a profound effect on Indian students. As Canada remains a favored destination for higher education, Indian students may face stiffer competition and increased challenges in securing study permits. In 2023, Canada issued nearly 500,000 study permits to international students, a number that will significantly decrease in the coming year.

Key Numbers:

  1. 2025 Target: 437,000 study permits
  2. 2024 Target: 485,000 study permits
  3. Peak in 2023: 500,000 study permits issued

Year-by-Year Breakdown of Study Permit Targets:

Year Study Permits Target
2023 500,000
2024 485,000
2025 437,000

The 2025 cap will apply to both master's and doctoral students, and for the first time, these students must provide a provincial or territorial attestation letter. The Canadian government has stated that the study permit target for 2026 will remain consistent with the 2025 cap.

Why the Reduction?

The Canadian government cited concerns over system abuse, where international student permits were being exploited by certain bad actors. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Prime Minister Justin Trudeau explained the need for tighter regulations to crack down on abuses in the system. He also highlighted the government’s efforts to reduce the number of low-wage, temporary foreign workers and emphasized the importance of creating jobs for Canadian workers.

“Immigration is crucial to our economy, but when the system is abused, we have to act. We’re reducing the number of study permits by 10% to ensure integrity and better align with labor market needs,” Trudeau said.

This reduction also comes as part of a broader effort to adjust Canada's Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program, which includes limiting the number of low-wage workers and shortening their work permits.

Additional Measures and Post-Graduation Work Permits

Canada is also updating its Post-Graduation Work Permit Program to align more closely with its immigration and labor market goals. Starting from 2024, new regulations will require applicants for post-graduation work permits to meet language proficiency standards. For university graduates, this means achieving a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level of 7, while college graduates will need a CLB level of 5.

Starting later this year, work permits will also be available exclusively to spouses of students enrolled in master’s programs lasting at least 16 months.

Updates to the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program:

  1. The government will refuse to process Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) for the Low-Wage stream in regions with unemployment rates of 6% or higher.
  2. Employers will only be allowed to hire up to 10% of their workforce through the TFW Program.
  3. The maximum employment duration for workers under the Low-Wage stream will be reduced from two years to one.

How Will This Impact Canada’s Economy?

International education is a major contributor to Canada's economy, generating over $22 billion annually and supporting more than 200,000 jobs. The reduction in student numbers could have a significant impact on sectors like housing, retail, and education, which rely heavily on international students.

The decline in international student numbers during the COVID-19 pandemic led to an economic loss of over $7 billion in 2020, a scenario that Canada hopes to avoid with its new policies.

How Can Visa Solutions 4u Help?

For Indian students aspiring to study in Canada, navigating these new regulations can be complex and overwhelming. Visa Solutions 4u specializes in providing personalized guidance on how to increase the chances of securing a study permit, even under these new, stricter guidelines.

  1. Expert Consultations:
  2. Offering detailed information on eligibility and documentation.

  3. Application Assistance:
  4. Helping students apply for study permits and post-graduation work permits.

  5. Visa Strategy:
  6. Tailored strategies to meet changing immigration policies.

  7. Post-Arrival Support:
  8. Assisting students with settlement services once they arrive in Canada.

Visa Solutions 4u stays updated with all the latest changes in Canadian immigration law, ensuring that students receive the most accurate and current advice.

Conclusion

As Canada tightens its immigration policies, particularly for study permits, Indian students will need to adapt to these changes. While the path to studying in Canada may become more competitive, staying informed and seeking professional advice can help ensure success. Canada’s evolving immigration landscape continues to shape opportunities for international students, and proactive steps are key to overcoming these challenges.