IRCC Data Reveals 60% Fall in International Student Arrivals to Canada
What Happened
New data from IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) shows that 60% fewer international students arrived in Canada in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024.
That means the number of students entering Canada on study permits has fallen sharply from what was once hundreds of thousands to less than 90,000 new students between January and August 2025.
Why It Happened
This drop is part of the Canadian government’s new immigration strategy to reduce the number of temporary residents in the country.
The government says it wants to bring down the share of temporary residents (including both study and work permit holders) to below 5% of Canada’s total population by 2027.
To do this, they:
- Imposed caps (limits) on new study permits for 2025,
- Tightened approval processes, and
- Are approving far fewer applications than before.
The Impact
- Universities and colleges are worried because their budgets depend heavily on tuition from international students.
- The total number of active study permit holders is now 802,425, which is 21% less than last year the lowest number since the pandemic in 2021.
- Canada was supposed to issue 437,000 study permits in 2025, but it’s now clear they will fall short of that target.
What Experts Are Saying
Immigration expert Matthew McDonald (RCIC) said:
- The government sees this decline as a “success story” because it proves their measures to control immigration are working.
- However, he warns this is a “test” to see how the public reacts to lower immigration numbers.
- He expects the government to continue limiting study and work permit approvals for the next few years.
What’s Next
- The Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE) is urging the government to renew its International Education Strategy to repair Canada’s global reputation and recognize the huge contributions international students make about CA$40 billion annually to the economy.
- The CBIE also emphasizes that international students are not just economic contributors but also cultural ambassadors who help strengthen Canada’s global relationships.
- In Short
The Canadian government is cutting down the number of new international students to reduce its temporary resident population.
While officials call it a success, colleges, universities, and immigration experts are alarmed saying it’s hurting education, the economy, and Canada’s image as a welcoming study destination.
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