New international student arrivals in Canada fall below Covid-19 levels

New study permits issued to international students in Canada last year dropped by 64% compared to the previous year, marking a decade low, even lower than during the pandemic.

According to new data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), approximately 75,000 new study permits were issued in 2025. This figure represents only 36% of the number issued during the same period last year, achieving just 25% of the government's target and marking the lowest total in a decade.

The approval rate for Indian students, Canada's largest source country, plummeted from 69% in 2024 to between 25% and 27%. Conversely, international students from France, the US, and South Korea maintained stable approval rates, with 94% to 96% of applications being granted.

The primary reason for this decline is an increase in visa renewal applications from existing students. According to the higher education platform ApplyBoard, this group accounted for up to 73% of all post-secondary permits approved last year.

Meti Basiri, CEO of ApplyBoard, explained that as the number of students renewing their permits increases, the quota available for new applications from international students will shrink.

Furthermore, over 75% of visa rejections in 2024 stemmed from consular officers' suspicions that applicants would not leave Canada after completing their studies. Many applications were also denied due to insufficient proof of financial capability.

Experts suggest that policy changes and the decrease in international student numbers are severely impacting the financial plans of institutions, simultaneously diminishing Canada's appeal. Demand for studying in Canada has fallen by up to 55% over the past year.

Basiri expressed concern that this trend threatens Canada's "talent pool" amid an aging population and labor shortages.

However, he also noted some positive developments: IRCC has simplified the process for co-op work permits and is encouraging institutions to invest in screening tools, prioritizing fields of study that align with high labor market demand.

The total number of students holding Canadian study permits in 2025 was approximately 690,000, a decrease from over one million in previous years.