Archive · 24 Jan 2026
Canada Sees 97% Drop in International Student Arrivals
Canada has seen a huge drop in new international students coming to study.
In November 2025, only 2,485 new study permits were given, compared to 95,320 in December 2023.
This is a 97% decrease.
The government has made it harder to get a study permit by adding new rules, like requiring special letters from provinces and checking if the offers from schools are real.
This is to help with housing and healthcare in Canada.
Schools that rely on international students' tuition fees might have money problems because of this drop.
Starting in 2026, some students, like those doing master's or doctorate programs, won't need the special letters, but the overall number of permits will still be limited.
Canada issued only 2,485 new study permits in November 2025, a 97% drop from December 2023's 95,320 permits.
The decline is due to new policies, including a national cap on applications, provincial attestation letters, higher financial requirements, and mandatory verification of acceptance letters.
Between January and November 2025, 60% fewer new international students received permits compared to the same period in 2024.
The drop in student numbers may financially impact Canadian institutions that rely on international tuition fees.
Starting in January 2026, master’s and doctoral students at public institutions will be exempt from provincial attestation letter requirements, but the overall cap on permits remains.
- Who
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and international students
- What
- A 97% decline in new international student arrivals to Canada
- When
- Between January and November 2025 compared to the same period in 2024
- Where
- Canada
- Why
- Due to tightened controls on study permits, including a national cap, provincial attestation letters, higher financial requirements, and mandatory verification of letters of acceptance
- New Study Permits Issued (November 2025)
- 2,485
- New Study Permits Issued (December 2023)
- 95,320
- Percentage Decline (January-November 2025 vs 2024)
- 60%
- Expected Study Permits for 2026
- Up to 408,000 (including extensions)
- Exemptions from PAL/TAL (Starting January 2026)
- Master’s and doctoral students at public institutions