In a significant policy shift, Canada has reduced the number of study permits issued to Indian students by nearly 31% in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. According to data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), 30,640 permits were granted to Indian students between January and March 2025, down from 44,295 as 31% during the same timeframe the previous year.
This decline aligns with Canada’s broader strategy to manage immigration levels, particularly concerning temporary residents such as international students and foreign workers. The Canadian government has cited pressures on housing affordability, healthcare, and infrastructure as key reasons for implementing stricter immigration controls. In 2023, Canada issued a total of 681,155 study permits, with Indian students receiving 278,045 of them. By 2024, these numbers had decreased to 516,275 total permits, with 188,465 allocated to Indian students.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced in September 2024 that Canada would grant 35% fewer international student permits that year, with an additional 10% reduction planned for 2025. This move aims to stabilize the intake of international students at 437,000 permits annually, a figure that will also apply to 2026.
The policy changes have prompted Indian students to explore alternative destinations for higher education. Education consultants report increased interest in Eastern European countries such as Poland, Georgia, Estonia, and Lithuania, which are actively recruiting Indian students through counseling sessions and partnerships with Indian educational institutions.
Canadian universities have also felt the impact of these changes. The University of Toronto, for instance, reported a 40% decline in applications from Indian students in 2024. Joseph Wong, Vice-President International at the university, attributed this drop to uncertainties surrounding Canada’s immigration policies.
In addition to capping study permits, Canada has introduced other measures affecting international students. These include doubling the Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) requirement from CAD 10,000 to CAD 20,635, limiting work permit eligibility for spouses of students, and requiring provincial attestation letters for study permit applications.
As Canada tightens its immigration policies, Indian students and educational institutions are adapting to the evolving landscape, seeking new opportunities and adjusting their strategies accordingly.
