The decline was not limited to new international students. The total number of study permit holders, including those who also held work permits, fell by 30%. The number dropped from about 995,000 in December 2023 to roughly 690,000 by December 2025.
Seasonal increases still occurred in August and December, when more permits are typically issued before the fall and winter academic terms.
The decrease followed several policy changes, especially federal caps on study permits introduced in January 2024. These restrictions were tightened further in 2025 and 2026. Processing backlogs and lower approval rates have also contributed to the situation.
Experts warn that the decline could create financial pressure on educational institutions and may affect the labor market in the long term.
Audio Session
The Decline of International Students in Canada
Class A
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Difficult Words
seasonal – related to a particular time of year
typically – usually or normally
federal cap – a government limit on the number of something allowed
backlog – a large number of tasks or applications waiting to be processed
financial pressure – economic difficulty caused by lack of money
Additional Info
- Did the decline only affect new students?
- What happened to the total number of study permit holders between 2023 and 2025?
- Why do numbers usually increase in August and December?
- What policy was introduced in January 2024?
- How might the decline affect universities and the labor market?
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