Ontario, Quebec to get most international students under Canada's new study permit cap

Canada is expected to issue 437,000 study permits in 2025, a 10% decrease from last year, as part of efforts to address concerns over rising immigration impacts on housing, healthcare, and public services.

Of these, more than 73,000 permits will go to postgraduate students, while nearly 243,000 are allocated for undergraduate and other academic programs. The remaining 120,000 permits will be for primary and secondary school students, a group prioritized by the government, and for those renewing their study permits. These groups are exempt from academic credential assessments.

Ontario has been allocated the largest quota with 116,740 study permits, followed by Quebec with 72,977 and British Columbia with 53,589. These provinces are home to some of Canada's leading universities and typically attract the most international students.

Nunavut and the Northwest Territories received just 220 permits combined, with no allocation for postgraduate studies.

This is the second year Canada has imposed tighter restrictions on international students, citing the strain on housing, healthcare, and job markets. The new policies make it harder for students to qualify for visas and post-graduation work opportunities.

Under the new rules, students must prove they have at least CA$20,600 (US$14,000) in financial support, double the previous requirement of CA$10,000, in addition to tuition and travel expenses.

Applicants hoping to qualify for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) must now submit an English or French proficiency certificate at B2 level or higher for university programs, and B1 level or higher for college programs. College students transferring to programs not on the government's approved list will also lose PGWP eligibility if they require a new study permit.

The Canadian government also introduced the Student Direct Stream (SDS) program to speed up visa processing for students from 14 countries and territories. The program, which took effect in late 2023, allows eligible students to bypass proof of funds requirements for faster approvals.

The number of international students arriving in Canada is projected to drop by 45% this year compared to 2024, according to ApplyBoard, the world's largest online platform for international student recruitment.

The company, which analyzed IRCC data, said the decline reflects the impact of stricter study permit policies and the new financial and work eligibility requirements.