Study in Canada: The number of study permits granted by Canada to Indian students has dropped sharply in the first quarter of 2025. According to new data released by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), only 30,640 study permits were issued to students from India between January and March this year — a 31% decline from the 44,295 permits granted in the same period of 2024. This drop mirrors a broader decline in international student admissions following Canadian government efforts to curb immigration.
Overall permit numbers also down
The total number of international study permits issued in Q1 2025 fell to 96,015, down from 1,21,070 during the same time last year. This downward trend began in late 2023 when Canada started placing restrictions on the influx of foreign students, citing concerns over housing, healthcare, and infrastructure pressures.
In 2023, Canada had issued 6,81,155 study permits, including 2,78,045 to Indian students. These figures declined in 2024 to 5,16,275 overall permits, of which 1,88,465 were granted to Indian nationals.
Policy reforms behind decline in student enrolment
The Canadian government’s decision to tighten student visa issuance stems from a broader push to control record immigration levels. Prime Minister Mark Carney, after winning re-election in April 2025, reaffirmed this policy direction. He stated that temporary residents — including international students and foreign workers — will be capped at 5% of Canada’s population by 2027.
As part of this strategy, IRCC announced on September 18, 2024, that the study permit cap for 2025 would be reduced to 4,37,000, down from the 2024 target of 4,85,000. This cap is expected to remain unchanged in 2026.
New financial and verification requirements for students
Tighter financial requirements have also impacted student applications. From January 1, 2024, new study permit applicants must show proof of CA$ 20,635 (approx. Rs 12.7 lakh) in funds — more than double the previous threshold of CA$ 10,000 (Rs 6.14 lakh).
In addition, a policy introduced in October 2023 requires Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) to verify every acceptance letter before a study permit can be processed. This additional layer of scrutiny is meant to reduce fraud and ensure genuine applicants.