Archive · 22 Jan 2026
Canada Sees Sharp Decline in Student Arrivals
Canada is seeing a big drop in the number of international students and temporary workers coming to the country.
So far in 2025, there are 60% fewer students and 47% fewer workers arriving compared to the same time last year.
This means around 1,05,870 students arrived from January to November 2025, down from 2,63,260 in the same period in 2024.
The Canadian government expects to issue fewer study permits in 2026.
One reason for this drop is that the rules for getting a study permit have become stricter, and some students can no longer get work permits after they finish their studies.
Canada saw a 60% decrease in international student arrivals and a 47% decrease in new temporary workers from January to November 2025.
The number of new student arrivals in November 2025 was 2,485, compared to 5,985 in September 2024, a 58% drop.
The Canadian government expects to issue 408,000 study permits in 2026, a 7% decrease from the 2025 target and a 16% decrease from the 2024 target.
As of November 30, 2025, 476,330 students hold a study permit, 1,491,500 hold a work permit, and 244,900 hold both.
The decline in arrivals is attributed to stricter study permit allocation processes and changes in post-graduation work permit eligibility.
- Who
- International students and temporary workers
- What
- Sharp decline in arrivals to Canada
- When
- Between January and November 2025
- Where
- Canada
- Why
- Tightening of study permit allocation process and changes in post-graduation work permit eligibility
- Current Year Student Arrivals (2025)
- 1,05,870 (Jan-Nov)
- Previous Year Student Arrivals (2024)
- 2,63,260 (Jan-Nov)
- Estimated Student Arrivals (2025)
- 1,17,806
- Estimated Student Arrivals (2024)
- 2,93,100
- New Temporary Workers Decrease (2025)
- 47%
- New Student Arrivals Decrease (2025)
- 60%
- Study Permits Issued (2026 Target)
- 408,000
- Study Permits Issued (2025 Target)
- 437,000
- Study Permits Issued (2024 Target)
- 485,000