Canada Closes Doors: For years, Canada has been a top destination for international students and foreign workers, offering world class education, job opportunities, and the promise of a better future. But 2025 has brought a very different story. New data shows that Canada issued 70% fewer study permits in the first six months of this year compared to the same period in 2024. Work permits also fell sharply by nearly 50%, painting a picture of an immigration slowdown not seen in years.
Fewer Students, Fewer Workers
Between January and June 2024, Canada welcomed 125,034 new international students through study permits. But in the same period of 2025, that number crashed to just 36,417, marking a loss of more than 88,000 students in six months.
The decline wasn’t gradual either it was sharp and immediate. In April 2024, Canada issued over 45,800 study permits. Fast forward a year, and April 2025 saw only 8,543 permits issued. March 2025 was even worse, with fewer than 4,000 students granted entry.
Foreign worker arrivals also faced a steep decline. Work permits fell from 245,137 in early 2024 to just 119,234 in 2025, a reduction of almost half.
Why the Sudden Decline?
The fall is directly tied to strict measures introduced by the Government of Canada. In early 2024, a two-year cap on study permits was announced, reducing international student arrivals by about 40%. The move was aimed at addressing housing pressures, especially in cities with high student populations, and to bring stability to Canada’s rental markets.
The cap wasn’t the only change. Every study permit application now requires an attestation letter from a province or territory. This extra layer of scrutiny has slowed approvals.
Additionally, Canada has tightened post graduation opportunities. From September 2024 onwards, students enrolled in curriculum licensing programs are no longer eligible for a Post Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). And spouses of international students in undergraduate or college programs are no longer automatically eligible for open work permits a benefit now reserved mainly for spouses of master’s and PhD students.
What This Means for Students and Canada
For many international students, Canada represented not only education but also a pathway to permanent residency and long term settlement. With these restrictions, many may now look to alternatives like Australia, the UK, or the US.
For Canada, fewer international students means a significant drop in tuition revenue, as well as reduced spending in local economies. Universities, colleges, and rental housing markets in major cities will feel the impact most directly.
Still, policymakers argue these measures are necessary to balance Canada’s housing crisis and ensure a fair system for both domestic and international residents.
Looking Ahead
Canada has set a cap of 437,000 study permits for 2025, around 10% lower than the 2024 limit. While the changes may bring relief to housing markets, they also raise important questions about the country’s long term immigration strategy and its global reputation as a student-friendly nation.
The coming months will reveal whether these measures strike the right balance between economic needs and social pressures or if they push international students to choose other countries instead.
Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available reports and government updates. It has been written in original, easy-to read language for informational purposes only.
Also read
CMS Education Survey 2025: Why Urban Families Spend Twice as Much on Coaching as Rural India
TN and Karnataka Unite Against Political Influence, Champion Child Centric Education
