The Canadian government has announced a reduction in the number of international study permits available in the country for 2025. The announcement was made on September 18, 2024, during a joint press conference by the ministers of immigration and employment.
The current intake cap of 485,000 international study permits for 2024 will be reduced to 437,000 for 2025. This is a 10% reduction from the 2024 target. The government has also announced that the intake cap for 2026 will be stabilised, remaining the same as in 2025.
The government also made several changes to the International Student Program (PGWP). One of the changes is the introduction of a minimum language proficiency requirement for all applicants. Applicants must now demonstrate a minimum language proficiency in French or English. The government has also clarified that work permits will be limited to spouses of master’s degree students with a minimum duration of 16 months. Work permit eligibility will also be limited to spouses of foreign workers in management or professional occupations or in sectors with labour shortages.
The government has committed to reserving approximately 12% of allocation spaces for master’s and doctoral students in the 2025-2026 PGWP. The reduction in the number of international study permits in Canada is intended to reduce the number of temporary residents. The government’s decision to reduce study permits for international students may affect many Indian nationals.