International student arrivals fall sharply as Canada tightens study permit rules
New IRCC data show a steep decline in international student arrivals after a series of policy changes, prompting budget and staffing concerns at Canadian universities.
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By Torontoer Staff
Canada recorded just 2,485 new study permit holders in November 2025, according to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. That figure is part of a wider trend: between January and November 2025 there were 52 per cent fewer international student arrivals than the same period in 2024, a drop of 334,845 students.
IRCC told reporters the numbers are, "a clear sign that the measures we’ve put in place are working," and framed the decline as part of a plan to restore balance and sustainability in the immigration system while maintaining humanitarian commitments.
How steep is the decline
The fall in arrivals is dramatic when compared with the peak seen two years ago. December 2023 had the highest number of new student arrivals in that period, at 95,320. By November 2025 that monthly total had fallen 97 per cent, to 2,485.
August, the usual peak month as students arrive for the fall semester, also shows a marked drop. New arrivals in August fell from 79,745 in 2024 to 45,065 in 2025.
Policies behind the drop
The federal government has introduced several changes since 2023 intended to reduce the inflow of new international students. Measures were included in the 2025 federal budget and through regulatory changes at IRCC.
- A budget commitment to cut student permits roughly in half from previous projections, with numeric caps set at 155,000 for 2026 and 150,000 for both 2027 and 2028.
- Mandatory acceptance letter reviews introduced in 2023 to limit study permit fraud.
- An increase in minimum demonstrated funds for applicants, from about $10,000 to $20,635.
- Limits on off-campus work, capped at 24 hours per week without a work permit.
Our approach puts immigration on a responsible path that allows Canada to meet the needs of communities and fulfill its promise of offering opportunities to those who see this country as their home.
IRCC
Impact on universities and the sector
Universities across Canada are already feeling the consequences. A 2025 survey found Canadian institutions experienced the largest drop in new international student enrolments compared with peer countries, with a 36 per cent decline in bachelor programmes and a 35 per cent decline in graduate programmes.
As a result, 60 per cent of Canadian universities reported preparing for budget cuts, and 50 per cent said they expect staffing reductions in 2026. Declining enrolments have also shifted some prospective students toward the U.K., other European countries, and destinations in Asia.
Student interest remains, but barriers have changed
Despite tighter rules, demand for Canadian study options persists. A spring 2025 survey by ApplyBoard found 94 per cent of respondents still had some level of interest in studying in Canada. That suggests Canada remains an attractive destination even as policy, cost, and work restrictions alter the decision calculus for applicants.
For institutions that have relied on tuition revenue from international students, the policy shift changes budgeting, program planning, recruitment strategies, and partnerships with overseas agents and institutions.
What to watch next
Numbers already reflect policy settings that will remain in place through the rest of the decade. With caps fixed at 155,000 for 2026 and 150,000 for 2027 and 2028, arrival totals are likely to stay lower than in recent years, unless the government adjusts its approach.
Observers will be tracking how universities adapt, including whether institutions shift recruitment to different markets, change programme offerings, or alter tuition pricing. The labour market effects, particularly in sectors that hire international students, will also be monitored.
Canada is regaining control of its immigration system to restore balance and sustainability, while continuing to uphold its humanitarian commitments.
IRCC, in an email to media
The coming months will show whether the decline stabilises at the new policy levels, and how sustained reductions will affect campuses, local economies, and Canada’s global position in higher education.
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