Canada has witnessed a steep fall in the number of full-time international students over the past two academic years, with enrolment dropping by nearly one-third since 2023-24 amid stricter immigration and student visa policies introduced by the federal government. According to preliminary estimates released by Statistics Canada, the country’s official data agency, the number of international students in public post-secondary institutions has declined by around 124,000, reducing the total to nearly 300,000 in the 2025-26 academic year.
The latest estimates showed that international student numbers fell by 4% in the 2024-25 academic year and then plunged by another 26% in 2025-26. The sharp reduction has brought enrolment levels back to figures last seen during the Covid-19 pandemic, when travel restrictions and border closures severely disrupted global student mobility.
Statistics Canada noted that the country had experienced extraordinary growth in international student enrolment over the previous two decades. From the 2003-04 academic year to 2023-24, the number of foreign students in public institutions had increased eightfold. However, the trend reversed dramatically after Ottawa introduced several reforms aimed at tightening the immigration system and reducing the temporary resident population.
College programmes, especially certificate and diploma courses, recorded the steepest decline. The number of international students enrolled in such programmes fell by 42% compared to 2023-24 levels, pushing enrolment below even the figures recorded during the pandemic years. Universities also reported a decline, though less severe, with international student enrolment dropping by 17% during the same period.
Indian students, who form the largest international student community in Canada, have been the most affected by the decline. Data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) showed that the number of study permits issued in 2025 dropped by nearly 25% compared to the previous year. Out of the total decline of over 131,000 permits, Indian students accounted for nearly 72% of the fall. The number of study permits granted to Indian nationals reportedly dropped from 188,175 in 2024 to 94,605 in 2025.
The Canadian government has, over the past two years, introduced a series of measures to reduce the inflow of temporary residents, including international students. Authorities cited concerns related to housing affordability, pressure on healthcare and public infrastructure, and the alleged misuse of the student visa system as pathways for permanent immigration. Measures included capping international student admissions, tightening financial eligibility requirements, and introducing stricter scrutiny of acceptance letters issued by educational institutions.
A separate report earlier this year had also highlighted a dramatic reduction in the share of Indian students entering Canada. The proportion of Indian students among new international enrolments reportedly fell from over 50% in 2023 to less than 10% in 2025 amid growing concerns about immigration integrity and compliance with visa conditions.
Statistics Canada said preliminary findings suggest that the government’s policy changes have resulted in a sharp drop in new student cohorts and a broader slowdown in international student enrolment across public institutions. The decline is also beginning to impact Canada’s population growth, with temporary residents, particularly students, contributing significantly to recent demographic changes in the country.
