The decline extended beyond new international arrivals. The overall number of study permit holders—including those concurrently holding work permits—fell by approximately 30%, decreasing from nearly 995,000 in December 2023 to around 690,000 by December 2025.

Despite the overall downward trend, seasonal spikes were still observed in August and December, reflecting the typical surge in permit issuance ahead of the fall and winter academic intakes.

The downturn follows a series of policy shifts, most notably the introduction of federal caps on study permits in January 2024, which were further tightened in 2025 and 2026. Processing backlogs and declining approval rates have compounded the effects, raising concerns about short-term financial pressure on educational institutions as well as potential long-term consequences for the labor market.

According to IRCC, the reduction in international student numbers indicates that these measures are functioning as intended, supporting the government’s effort to establish a more controlled and sustainable immigration framework.

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The Decline of International Students in Canada Class C

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