New statistics released by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) reveal that only 89,430 new international students entered the country between January and August 2025—a 59.7 % drop from the same period last year. The figures, analysed by Collegedunia and published on 25 October 2025, confirm anecdotal reports from colleges about empty residence halls and cancelled programs.
The downturn follows a string of federal reforms: lower national caps, higher proof-of-funds thresholds, stricter letter-of-acceptance verification and a narrower Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) eligibility window. August—traditionally the peak intake month—saw just 45,380 arrivals versus nearly 80,000 in August 2024. India, Canada’s biggest student source market, has been hardest hit; some consultancy data suggest study-permit refusal rates for Indian applicants are now running at 80 %.
Universities dependent on international tuition are scrambling to adapt. Several smaller Ontario colleges have frozen hiring, while Atlantic institutions are warning of program cuts. Industry group CBIE is lobbying Ottawa for a revamped International Education Strategy that balances immigration sustainability with economic competitiveness.
From a mobility standpoint, the numbers foreshadow ripple effects on employer talent pools: fewer graduates will transition to PGWP and Express Entry, tightening labour supply in STEM and healthcare. Education agents advise students to apply early, target colleges with provincial attestation and demonstrate strong financial ties.
The data also complicate housing-market projections. Policymakers hoping lower student inflows would ease rental pressure may see only partial relief, as the 21 % decline in total permit holders (study-only and work-study combined) is less dramatic than the new-arrival plunge. Nevertheless, cities like Toronto and Vancouver are already reporting softer fall occupancy rates.
The downturn follows a string of federal reforms: lower national caps, higher proof-of-funds thresholds, stricter letter-of-acceptance verification and a narrower Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) eligibility window. August—traditionally the peak intake month—saw just 45,380 arrivals versus nearly 80,000 in August 2024. India, Canada’s biggest student source market, has been hardest hit; some consultancy data suggest study-permit refusal rates for Indian applicants are now running at 80 %.
Universities dependent on international tuition are scrambling to adapt. Several smaller Ontario colleges have frozen hiring, while Atlantic institutions are warning of program cuts. Industry group CBIE is lobbying Ottawa for a revamped International Education Strategy that balances immigration sustainability with economic competitiveness.
From a mobility standpoint, the numbers foreshadow ripple effects on employer talent pools: fewer graduates will transition to PGWP and Express Entry, tightening labour supply in STEM and healthcare. Education agents advise students to apply early, target colleges with provincial attestation and demonstrate strong financial ties.
The data also complicate housing-market projections. Policymakers hoping lower student inflows would ease rental pressure may see only partial relief, as the 21 % decline in total permit holders (study-only and work-study combined) is less dramatic than the new-arrival plunge. Nevertheless, cities like Toronto and Vancouver are already reporting softer fall occupancy rates.
