The Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced that it plans to issue a total of 4,37,000 study permits in 2025. This marks a 10 per cent reduction from the previous year’s cap of 4,84,000, as the government seeks to manage the growing demand for housing, healthcare, and other essential services. The decision to scale back the number of study permits follows significant changes to Canada’s international student policies over the past year. In 2024, the IRCC introduced a cap on the number of study permit applications that could be processed. This was designed to strengthen the integrity of Canada’s immigration programs, ensure sustainable growth, and alleviate pressures on rental markets and services in major student-populated areas. The policy change resulted in a 40 per cent decrease in international students coming to Canada last year. As part of the adjustments, the IRCC has also implemented stricter requirements for applicants. Since the introduction of the cap, most applicants have been required to submit a provincial or territorial attestation letter (PAL/TAL). This requirement has now been expanded to include master’s and doctoral students, as well as most applicants applying from within Canada. In a move to prioritise graduate education, the government has reserved specific spaces for these students. The following groups continue to be exempt from submitting a PAL/TAL: - Primary and secondary (kindergarten to grade 12) students - Certain Government of Canada priority groups and vulnerable cohorts - Existing study permit holders applying for an extension at the same designated learning institution (DLI) and at the same level of study. Of the 437,000 study permits expected to be issued in 2025, 120,724 are expected to come from PAL/TAL-exempt students, while 316,267 are expected to come from PAL/TAL-required groups, IRCC said. These changes come as Canada faces mounting pressure on public services, particularly housing, as more international students have made the country their destination of choice for higher education. The government’s strategy aims to strike a balance between maintaining Canada’s global reputation as a top educational destination and ensuring that both students and residents have access to the necessary resources and services. The IRCC’s commitment to ensuring that Canada’s immigration and education systems remain responsive to evolving needs signals a continued focus on sustainable growth and the wellbeing of both international students and Canadian citizens alike.
