Ottawa, February 2026 — New international student arrivals to Canada have collapsed dramatically, with only 2,485 study permits issued to incoming students in November 2025 — a staggering 97% drop from the record high of over 95,000 in December 2023, according to the latest monthly data released by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
The sharp decline reflects the federal government’s multi-year effort to curb temporary resident numbers, ease pressures on housing, healthcare, and infrastructure, and address concerns over fraud and exploitative practices in the international education sector. Between January and November 2025, new student arrivals fell by approximately 60% (or 157,380 fewer) compared to the same period in 2024, contributing to an overall 52% reduction in combined new international students and temporary workers entering Canada during that timeframe.
The trend accelerated after the introduction of a national study permit cap in 2024, combined with requirements for provincial or territorial attestation letters (PAL/TAL), stricter financial proof thresholds, mandatory acceptance letter verification, and other anti-fraud measures. Monthly figures show traditional intake peaks (such as August and December) persisting but at far lower volumes.
You can also read about the Top Three (3) News of February 10, 2026, HERE
2026 Study Permit Targets Under the 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan
Looking ahead, the government’s 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan sets a target of up to 408,000 total study permits for 2026 — a 7% reduction from the 2025 target of 437,000 and 16% below 2024’s 485,000. This breaks down to roughly:
- 155,000 permits for newly arriving international students (down nearly 50% from prior targets of around 305,000–306,000).
- 253,000 extensions for current or returning students already in Canada.
Of the capped applications (those requiring PAL/TAL), up to 180,000 spaces are allocated provincially/territorially, totaling 309,670 application slots nationwide, with exemptions for master’s and doctoral students at public designated learning institutions (DLIs) — who are not required to obtain PAL/TAL and fall outside the main cap quota (projected at around 49,000 for this group).
Experts describe 2026 as a period of “prolonged managed constraint,” with inbound mobility expected to remain low due to persistent visa processing delays, record-low approval rates (often 30–34% in 2025), and inconsistent decision-making. Many predict actual issuances will fall short of even the reduced targets, as global demand for Canadian study remains high but is stifled by technical and policy barriers.
The impacts are already evident across the sector. Colleges and universities, particularly in Ontario, Atlantic Canada, and Manitoba, face severe financial strain from lost high-tuition revenue, leading to program cancellations, layoffs, service cuts, and institutional closures in some cases. Provincial governments are being urged to provide emergency support to struggling institutions.
A positive note for graduate education: The exemption for master’s and PhD students at public DLIs aims to support Canada’s research and economic goals by prioritizing high-skilled talent. However, undergraduate and college-level programs — especially those popular with students from India, Nigeria, and other key source countries — continue to bear the brunt of restrictions.
IRCC continues to warn applicants about visa scams and fraud, emphasizing the need to deal directly with verified institutions and avoid unauthorized agents, as misuse can result in refusals or multi-year bans.
For the most up-to-date official figures, visit the IRCC website’s open data portal on temporary residents and study permit holders. The sector’s path to stability in 2026–2027 will hinge on reforms to processing efficiency and clearer, more predictable policies.
