“Canada records large drop in study permits for Q1”

📰 What’s the News About?

Canada has seen a significant drop in international student numbers in the first quarter (Q1) of 2025, which has caused the largest decline in temporary residents since the COVID-19 pandemic. This drop is having a visible negative impact on population growth and the economy, especially in provinces like Ontario and British Columbia that rely heavily on international students.

📉 Key Highlights:

• Study permit approvals dropped by 11% compared to Q1 2024.
• Ontario and British Columbia — the top destinations for international students — have been the hardest hit economically.
• Canada’s population growth was nearly 0% this quarter, with only 20,107 more people added — one of the lowest growth rates ever recorded.
• The number of temporary residents in the country, including both students and workers, has declined.
• Work permit holders also declined, but not as sharply as students.

📊 Data & Trends:

• Temporary residents made up 7.1% of the population as of April 1, 2025 — down from 7.4% in October 2024.
• Canada’s overall population growth is now entirely driven by international migration, as the country has had more deaths than births every quarter since 2022.
• Asylum seekers and protected persons are the only group of temporary residents still increasing — reaching a record 470,000 people.

🏛️ Government’s Role & Policy Changes:

• In 2024, the federal government announced it would reduce both temporary and permanent immigration.
• The new Prime Minister, Mark Carney, elected in April 2025, pledged to reduce the temporary resident share of the population to 5% by 2027.
• However, the official Immigration Levels Plan hasn’t been updated yet, and still reflects the previous government’s more aggressive 2026 timeline.

🎓 Impact on Education Sector:

• Canada’s international higher education sector has been struggling for the past 18 months due to:
  • Caps on study permits
  • Restrictions on work rights for students
  • Visa processing delays
• These changes were meant to cut study permit approvals by 35%, but reports suggest the impact may be even worse than expected.
• Financial loss is estimated at $2.7 billion this year across institutions.
• Over 5,000 education jobs have been lost, including 750 at Centennial College alone.

🗣️ What’s Next?

• Immigration Minister Diab has promised new consultations with provinces and universities to review the caps and policies.
• The sector hopes for more government engagement and a possible reconsideration of the restrictions.

✅ Summary:

Canada’s international student numbers have dropped sharply in early 2025, causing the lowest population growth since the pandemic and triggering major economic damage, particularly in education. Government-imposed restrictions are blamed, and institutions are now pushing for policy reform and clearer communication.