Canada has decided to maintain its target of welcoming up to 1.5 lakh new international students every year from 2027 to 2029, providing greater clarity to foreign students planning to pursue higher education in the country. The decision is part of the Canadian government’s latest Immigration Levels Plan for 2027-2029, which aims to regulate the inflow of temporary residents while addressing the country’s workforce requirements and economic priorities.
According to the plan released by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the country will target 3.7 lakh new temporary resident arrivals annually over the next three years. Of these, up to 1.5 lakh will be international students, while the remaining 2.2 lakh will comprise temporary foreign workers. The government has also projected an annual range of 3.55 lakh to 3.85 lakh temporary resident arrivals during this period.
The student admission target will remain unchanged at 1.5 lakh annually for all three years, indicating that Canada is not planning to increase the number of new international students despite continuing to welcome foreign talent. The figure represents new study permits issued to foreign nationals intending to pursue courses lasting six months or longer at designated learning institutions in Canada. It does not include extensions of existing study permits or applications from individuals already residing in the country.
The latest announcement is expected to be closely watched by students from countries such as India, which has traditionally been among the largest sources of international students for Canadian educational institutions. Thousands of Indian students consider Canada for higher education, attracted by its universities, employment opportunities and potential pathways to permanent residency.
However, the continuation of the existing target also signals that the Canadian government intends to maintain tighter control over the number of newcomers entering the country temporarily. The move comes amid concerns over housing affordability, pressure on public infrastructure and the growing population of temporary residents.
Under the new immigration framework, temporary workers will account for approximately 60% of the planned arrivals, while international students will constitute the remaining 40%. The annual target of 2.2 lakh workers will cover foreign nationals entering through the Temporary Foreign Worker Programme and the International Mobility Programme.
The government has said the revised approach is aimed at providing stability and predictability to provinces, territories, employers and educational institutions. It also seeks to ensure that immigration policies complement the domestic workforce rather than create additional pressure on employment opportunities and public services.
Alongside the temporary resident targets, Canada has maintained its permanent residency admission target at 3.8 lakh annually for 2027, 2028 and 2029. Economic immigration will constitute the largest share, with 2,44,700 admissions planned every year. The family reunification category has been allocated 81,000 places annually, while 49,300 admissions have been earmarked for refugees and protected persons. Another 5,000 places will be available under humanitarian and other categories.
The plan also places emphasis on attracting French-speaking immigrants to communities outside Quebec. The target for French-speaking permanent resident admissions in these regions has been set at 9.5% in 2027, increasing to 10.5% in 2028 and 12% by 2029.
The latest framework reflects Canada’s attempt to strike a balance between attracting skilled international talent and managing the pressures associated with rapid population growth. For prospective international students, the continuation of the 1.5-lakh annual target offers a degree of predictability, although admission targets do not guarantee study permits to individual applicants. Students will continue to be required to meet the eligibility criteria and other immigration requirements prescribed by the Canadian authorities.
