Archive · 21 Sep 2025
Canada's Stricter Visa Rules Cause Steep Drop in Foreigners
Canada is making it harder for international students and workers to come to the country.
They want fewer temporary residents.
In the first half of the year, fewer students and workers arrived than before.
The government put a limit on the number of study permits and increased the amount of money students need to have.
They also stopped a fast-track permit program.
Many more visa applications from India were rejected.
Canada increased financial requirements, and it is tightening eligibility rules to make sure the goals are met.
Canada aims to reduce its temporary population to under 5%.
Overall arrivals decreased nearly 57% in the first half of the year.
International student arrivals saw over a 70% fall.
Foreign work permits decreased by 50%.
Canada increased financial requirements for students and ended the Student Direct Stream.
- Who
- Canada and international students/workers.
- What
- Significant decrease in international students and foreign workers.
- When
- Recent data from 2024 and 2025.
- Where
- Canada.
- Why
- Government policies to reduce the temporary resident population.
International Student and Worker perspectives
Canadian Government perspective
Impact of tighter regulations
International Student and Worker perspectives
Reduced opportunities for international students and workers.
Canadian Government perspective
Control of immigration and labour markets, in line with immigration goals.
- Policy Aim
- Reduce temporary resident population to under 5%
- Overall Arrival Decline
- Nearly 57% decrease in the first half of the year
- Student Permit Decrease
- Over 70% fall
- Work Permit Decrease
- 50% decline
- Indian Student Rejection Rate
- 80% in 2025
- Study Permit Cap
- 437,000 study permits planned for 2025, 10% down from 2024
- Financial Requirement Increase
- Minimum funds hiked from $20,635 to $22,895