Key Points
- Canada will introduce measures to restrict the number of international students entering the country in 2025 and 2026
Overview
The government of Canada will reform the International Student Program and tighten eligibility requirements for Temporary Foreign Workers (TFWs). The following measures will be introduced:
- Canada will reduce the intake cap on international student study permits for 2025. The 2025 cap will be set to 437,000. This is a 10% reduction from the 2024 target number of 458,000 study permits. The number of study permits issued in 2026 will be the same as in 2025
- The government will update the post-graduation work permit program requirements for the fall of 2024
- Limiting spouse work permit eligibility for the spouses of master’s degree students. As a result, spouse work permits will only be granted to those with a spouse in a program for at least 16 months
- Limiting work permit eligibility later this year to spouses of foreign workers in management or professional occupations or sectors with labor shortages—under Canada’s work permit programs (TFWP and IMP)
According to the government, these measures aim to protect the integrity of the country’s immigration system.
Looking Ahead
Continue to check the government of Canada’s website for the latest updates and information.
Written by: Jessie Butchley, Global Immigration Writer, Envoy Global
Source: Government of Canada
