New data shows Ontario's distribution of international student permits has created significant imbalances across the province's post-secondary landscape. In 2024, colleges received 189,416 Provincial Attestation Letters but utilized only 55 percent, while universities used 82 percent of their smaller 35,460 allocation. The disparity widened further within sectors—Humber College distributed nearly its entire allotment, yet Northern College used just 28 percent. The fallout ha

Manitoba's post-secondary institutions are grappling with severe financial pressures after the Federal Government cut international student allocations by 40 per cent, dropping from 18,591 in 2025 to just 11,196 in 2026. Advanced Education and Training Minister Renee Cable criticized the unilateral decision, noting it was made without provincial consultation and has led to plummeting enrolment and revenue losses across universities and colleges. Cable emphasized that interna

Following a challenging year marked by record-low study permit approvals, Canadian international education enters 2026 with cautious optimism. Experts project the sector will fall short of its 408,000 permit target as visa processing delays and approval rates hovering at 30-34% continue to constrain student mobility. While graduate students gained exemption from caps and CAD$1.7 billion was allocated for global talent recruitment, stakeholders warn that systemic reforms arou

New quarterly demographic data from Statistics Canada reveals a notable shift in Canada's temporary resident landscape. By the fourth quarter of 2025, the country saw approximately 477,000 study permit holders, marking a substantial decrease from earlier in the year. Work permit holders numbered around 1.48 million during the same period. Meanwhile, asylum claimants and protected persons reached roughly 505,000, reflecting year-over-year growth in this category. The figures

Ontario's college sector is grappling with significant upheaval as tighter federal restrictions on international student visas force institutions to suspend programs and reduce services. Ottawa's decision to reduce study permit issuance to 408,000 in 2026 – down from 485,000 in 2024 – has prompted colleges to cut hundreds of programs and eliminate more than 8,000 positions. Students at institutions such as George Brown, Conestoga, and Fanshawe are experiencing reduced suppor

Following major changes to Ontario's immigration system, many newcomers pursuing permanent residency are in limbo , uncertain about their future in Canada. The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program, which offers a fast-track pathway to permanent residency for skilled workers and international students, is undergoing significant restructuring. The province has suspended its skilled trades stream and is reducing entry categories from nine to four, while Ottawa has cut provincial no

Ontario is adjusting its approach to international student admissions following Ottawa's decision to reduce study permit approvals by 42 percent for 2026. The province will strategically allocate its 104,780 Provincial Attestation Letters, prioritizing programs in high-demand fields such as construction, nursing, teaching, and STEM. Minister Nolan Quinn emphasized that Ontario remains committed to maintaining its reputation for world-class education while ensuring graduates

As 2026 approaches, Canada remains the only country among the major study destinations to enforce a strict numerical limit on international student intake. While Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States have introduced various policy measures to manage foreign enrolment, Canada has implemented actual caps—408,000 study permits for 2026, down 7% from 2025 targets. The policy responds to public concerns over housing shortages and healthcare capacity amid rising imm

The government of British Columbia has launched an independent review to strengthen the public post-secondary education system and ensure its long-term sustainability. Ministry of Post‑Secondary Education and Future Skills says institutions in B.C. are under severe financial pressure due to reduced international student permits, inflation and declining domestic enrolment — leading to widening gaps between revenues and expenses. The review will deliver recommendations by Marc

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has released provincial and territorial allocations for 2026 under the international student cap, setting a national target of 408,000 study permits—down 7% from 2025. The cap, which has successfully reduced the number of study permit holders from over 1 million to approximately 725,000 since its 2024 introduction, aims to lower Canada's temporary population to below 5% by 2027. As announced before, master's and doctoral students

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada announced policy changes on November 24, 2025, affecting study permit applications for designated learning institutions. Students moving from secondary to post-secondary education can now start classes at their new institution while awaiting permit approval, provided they applied before their current permit expired. The update also clarifies requirements for joint programs leading to a single credential. These students need only o

Statistics Canada highlighted a significant shift across Canada’s postsecondary sector, noting that international students now account for more than half of public college enrollments. The 2023/2024 academic year saw 288,798 international students attending these institutions—representing 50.4% of total enrollment—compared to just 26.7% in 2014/2015. India has emerged as the leading source country, accounting for nearly 60% of international students, while Ontario continues

The Government of Canada has announced the continuation of special immigration measures for Haitian nationals and foreign family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents beyond November 20, 2025. The extension allows eligible individuals to apply for study permits, open work permits, temporary resident permits, or status extensions without application fees. Initially launched in May 2024 in response to Haiti's deteriorating security conditions, these measures ref

Canadian universities are grappling with a significant drop in international student numbers, with 82% reporting lower undergraduate enrolments and 71% seeing decreases at the graduate level compared to last year. New international enrolments have plummeted by more than a third at both bachelor's and master's levels, driven largely by restrictive immigration policies that have made visa acquisition increasingly difficult. Meanwhile, institutions in Asia and Europe are capita

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced that protected persons and their family members can now apply for study permits from within Canada, regardless of whether they have submitted permanent residency applications. This policy update, effective November 13, 2025, expands access for various groups, including students at all educational levels, work permit holders, temporary residents, refugee claimants, and families of foreign government officials. The

Cambrian College in Sudbury has suspended intake for six additional programs after an earlier pause on ten, citing a “catastrophic” decline in international student enrollment following IRCC’s new post-graduate work permit rules. The college now faces a projected $1.4 million deficit for 2025–2026, ending a decade of surpluses. Enrollment of international students dropped to 1,430 from 2,631 last year, while domestic numbers rose only slightly. Affected programs include Busi

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has introduced measures to strengthen graduate student recruitment following recent enrolment restrictions. Starting January 1, 2026, master's and doctoral candidates at public universities will be exempt from the international student cap, eliminating the need for provincial attestation letters. Additionally, doctoral applicants will benefit from expedited 14-day study permit processing, extended to accompanying family mem

On November 4, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) rolled out updated guidelines following regulatory amendments that took effect January 31, 2025. These changes grant designated officers the authority to individually cancel electronic travel authorizations, temporary resident visas, work permits, and study permits when circumstances warrant. The new provisions under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations apply exclusively to issued document

A new Statistics Canada study analyzing financial ratios for Canadian universities reveals significant shifts in institutional revenue streams, particularly an increased dependency on international student tuition fees. The comprehensive analysis examines how universities navigated financial pressures during the COVID-19 pandemic, including campus closures, fluctuating international enrollment, and enhanced federal research funding. Larger institutions, U15 members, and grad

On October 9, 2025, Manitoba held a new invitation round in the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP). In round #255, the MPNP invited 862 applicants under the Skilled Worker in Manitoba (SWM) stream. Of these, 279 candidates were invited under the Skilled Worker pathway, and 583 under the occupation-specific selection category. In this invitation round, the province invited a total of 203 Express Entry candidates. This year, Manitoba invited 6,658 candidates through t