The Canadian government announced a further cutback in the number of study permits that will be granted in 2025, which is a significant policy change that would affect overseas students. With a revised cap of 437,000 study permits, the 2024 cap has been lowered by 10%. This action comes after Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) launched a campaign to better control student immigration while tackling the shortage of accommodation and services in regions with high demand.
Get Up to $100,000 Student Loan for Your Master in US or Canada.
Table of Contents
Why is Canada Reducing Study Permits Again in 2025?
The inability to continue to handle the influx of international students is the reason behind the IRCC’s determination to enforce stronger caps. New restrictions reduced the number of international students arriving by 40% in 2024, which greatly reduced pressure on the rental market. In order to ensure sustainability over the long run, Canada plans to balance its educational programs with the infrastructure and resources that are currently available, with a further reduction scheduled for 2025.
How Will International Students Be Affected by the 2025 Study Permit Cap?
- Graduate Students Now Under the Cap: With the exception of individuals in exempt categories, master’s and doctoral students will now require a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) or Territorial Attestation Letter (TAL) in order to apply for study permits, in contrast to 2024.
- Graduate Student Reserved Spaces: 73,282 study permits in total are set aside for graduate students, guaranteeing that chances will still exist in spite of the new limitations.
- Exchange Students Exempt: To facilitate easier transfers in academic mobility programs and preserve international academic ties, exchange students will not need a PAL or TAL.
- Stricter Compliance for DLIs: Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) now face a one-year suspension from enrolling overseas students if they do not comply with the new requirements for student verification and reporting.
Read Also: Top 10 PhD Scholarships in Canada for International Students 2025
Where Are Study Permits Being Issued?
With the largest allocations of study permits, Ontario and British Columbia continue to be the most popular regions for overseas students:
- 116,740 study licenses in Ontario, 21,841 of which are for graduate students
- 53,589 study licenses in British Columbia, including 20,053 for graduate students
- 72,977 study licenses in Quebec, 19,683 of which are for graduate students
- 32,660 study permits in Alberta, 3,887 of which are for graduate students
On the other hand, far fewer study permits will be granted in smaller provinces such as the Northwest Territories, Yukon, and Prince Edward Island.
Read Also: Study in Canada Scholarships 2025/2026 for Post-Secondary International Students
How Does This Affect Potential International Students?
It is now more competitive than ever to obtain a research permit due to the tightened cap. Here are some things that potential students should think about:
- Getting an attestation letter from your province will be essential for your application because allocations are restricted.
- As institutions that do not meet compliance standards may be subject to limitations, make sure the university of your choice is actively involved in student compliance reporting.
- As Canada closes its borders, students may consider Germany, Ireland, Australia, or the United Kingdom as alternatives.
- Master’s and doctoral programs are still viable options for graduate students, despite being included in the cap. This is because graduate students still have a restricted number of study permits.
