Canada’s approval of new international student permits has plunged to its lowest point in ten years, dropping even below pandemic-era figures. ApplyBoard data indicates that strict federal caps on post-secondary admissions are the main cause.
The report estimates only around 80,000 new study permits will be issued in 2025 — a steep 62% decline from 2024 and far below pre-pandemic numbers. Colleges are facing the hardest hit, with fewer than 30,000 new approvals expected nationwide, while most permits now come from extensions for students already in the country.
Although university approval rates have improved slightly, opportunities remain limited, especially for applicants from India, the Philippines, and several African nations — raising concerns over declining campus diversity.
ApplyBoard warns that if this trend continues, Canada’s international student population could drop by up to half in 2026. Still, 95% of surveyed students say they remain committed to studying in Canada due to its education quality, work prospects, and multicultural environment.
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