Canada Extends Cap On International Student Permits For Another Year

Canada will limit the number of international students permitted to enter the country for a second consecutive year in 2025, as the government continues its efforts to alleviate pressure on housing, healthcare, and other public services.

The immigration ministry announced on Friday that Canada will issue 437,000 study permits in 2025, representing a 10% reduction from the 2024 figures, reported Reuters.

Photo Credit: Pexels

The cap on new international student permits was first introduced in 2024, following concerns that rapid population growth had exacerbated the country's housing shortage. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who has declared his intention to resign in March, had recently pledged to reduce immigration levels in light of declining public support for newcomers, as reflected in opinion polls.

Government data reveals that Canada issued over 650,000 study permits in 2023, bringing the total number of international students in the country to a record-breaking figure of over one million-roughly three times the number recorded a decade earlier.

This rapid population growth, driven largely by immigration, has placed significant strain on public services such as healthcare and education, while also contributing to rising housing costs.

However, international students play a crucial role in the education sector by paying significantly higher tuition fees compared to domestic students.

Following the introduction of the student cap last year, most applicants are now required to provide a Provincial or Territorial Attestation Letter. In 2025, this requirement will be extended to include master's and post-doctoral students.

These attestation letters serve to confirm that the students fall within the federal government's international student cap.