The Canadian government has unveiled significant changes to its International Student Program, reducing the number of study permits issued to 437,000 in 2025, down from the 2024 target of 485,000. This is part of broader efforts to manage the growing temporary resident population and ensure sustainable immigration practices.
At a press conference on September 18 in Ottawa, Immigration Minister Marc Miller, alongside Employment Minister Randy Boissonnault, highlighted the need to curb the “overheating” in the international student market.
Key Changes Announced:
- A 10% reduction in international study permits for 2025, capped at 437,000.
- Masters and PhD students will now be included in the permit cap, a shift from previous policies that excluded them.
- Access to the Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) program will now require applicants to demonstrate language proficiency in English or French.
- Work permit eligibility for spouses of international students will be limited to those in programs of at least 16 months.
- Spouses of foreign workers will only qualify for work permits if their partner works in management, professional occupations, or sectors facing labor shortages.
The government will reserve around 12% of study permit allocations for Masters and PhD students, acknowledging their value to Canada’s labor market.
Miller emphasized that not everyone seeking to come or stay in Canada will have that opportunity, citing the importance of maintaining a balanced, well-managed immigration system. “We are taking action to strengthen our temporary residence programs to meet today’s changing landscape,” he said.
The new rules come after a sharp rise in international student numbers, with over 800,000 students in Canada in 2022 – a 30% increase from the previous year. This prompted a temporary cap in January 2024, intended to last for two years, but Miller confirmed that the cap will now be a permanent fixture.
Canada’s new immigration measures aim to align international student intake with labor market needs and support a more sustainable pathway to permanent residence.
