TORONTO: Canada’s approval of new international student permits has fallen to its lowest level in a decade, even dipping below the numbers seen during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to recent data from ApplyBoard, strict caps on post-secondary intakes imposed by Ottawa are the primary cause of this sharp decline.
ApplyBoard forecasts that Canada will approve only 80,000 new study permits in 2025, representing a 62% decrease compared to 2024 and falling far below pre-pandemic figures. For context, Canada approved approximately 92,000 new permits during the height of the pandemic in 2020.
The report warns that 2025 will be one of the most competitive years for students hoping to study in Canada. Colleges are bearing the brunt of the decline, with extensions now accounting for nearly 80% of all study permits issued. Fewer than 30,000 new approvals are expected for college programs across the country.
While universities are experiencing a modest recovery, approval rates have risen from 30% in May to 55% in August. However, opportunities for new students remain limited. The report also highlights that students from India, the Philippines, and several African nations face the lowest approval rates, which could threaten the diversity of campuses across Canada.
For the first time, students already in Canada are projected to account for nearly two-thirds of all post-secondary study permits issued this year, indicating that extensions are now outpacing new approvals.
If current trends persist, ApplyBoard predicts that Canada’s international student population could shrink by up to 50% by 2026, as fewer new students will replace those who graduate.
Despite the slowdown, 95% of international students surveyed by ApplyBoard expressed their desire to continue studying in Canada, citing the country’s high academic standards, post-graduation work opportunities, and multicultural environment as key reasons for their interest.
While short-term challenges persist, student confidence in the long-term value of studying in Canada remains strong.
